Inspiring the Next Generation of Advanced Manufacturing Innovators
SmartSolve was proud to participate in What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® 2026, held at Otsego Middle School, where students, educators, manufacturers, and community members came together to celebrate the future of modern manufacturing.
As part of the event, Quon Lee, R&D Project Manager at SmartSolve, shared how innovation, collaboration, and advanced manufacturing are helping bring zero-waste, plastic-free, water-soluble packaging solutions from concept to real-world impact.
The event offered an opportunity to showcase not only what SmartSolve creates, but also the people, processes, and purpose behind our work.
SmartSolve: A Fast-Growing Packaging Technology Company in Bowling Green, Ohio
During her remarks, Quon introduced SmartSolve as a fast-growing packaging technology company based in Bowling Green, Ohio.
SmartSolve is on a mission to help people better care for the planet and their health by pioneering zero-waste, plastic-free, water-soluble packaging solutions.
Our materials are designed to solve one of today’s most urgent packaging challenges: how to create products that perform in real-world applications without leaving behind plastic waste or harmful microplastic residue.
Today, SmartSolve materials are being adopted across a wide range of industries and environments — from the kitchen sink to the bathroom, the hospital floor, and even the International Space Station.
That broad range of applications reflects the power of sustainable packaging innovation when strong material science meets scalable manufacturing.
From Ideas to Prototypes to Full-Scale Manufacturing
One of the key messages Quon shared was that innovation does not happen in isolation.
At SmartSolve, taking an idea from concept to prototype — and eventually to full-scale manufactured products — requires a talented team working together across disciplines.
That process depends on:
- Collaboration
- Effective communication
- Thoughtful problem-solving
- Well-designed manufacturing processes
- A shared commitment to continuous improvement
For students learning about manufacturing, this message is especially important.
Modern manufacturing is not just about machines. It is about creativity, science, engineering, teamwork, and turning bold ideas into real solutions.
Why Advanced Manufacturing Matters
The What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® program helps students see manufacturing in a new way.
Instead of viewing manufacturing as outdated or purely mechanical, students get to explore how today’s manufacturers use technology, innovation, and creativity to solve meaningful problems.
For SmartSolve, advanced manufacturing plays a critical role in bringing sustainable packaging materials to market.
Our team works to develop packaging solutions that are:
- Plastic-free
- Water-soluble
- Bio-based
- Designed for zero-waste applications
- Built for real-world performance
This kind of work requires both technical expertise and imagination — the same qualities that programs like What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® help encourage in students.
Partnering with the Otsego Middle School Team
SmartSolve was honored to partner with the Otsego Middle School team for this year’s What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® video contest.
Through their creative lens, thoughtful questions, and storytelling, the students had the opportunity to explore what makes SmartSolve’s work meaningful — from the science behind our materials to the manufacturing processes that make our products possible.
This partnership was especially meaningful because the student team was also part of a previous SmartSolve milestone: our JobsOhio grant announcement celebration in October.
Having them return as part of this manufacturing education initiative made the collaboration even more special.
Inspiring Future Careers in Sustainable Manufacturing
At SmartSolve, we believe the future of manufacturing depends on the next generation of innovators.
Programs like What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® help students imagine career paths they may not have considered before — careers in research and development, engineering, operations, production, quality, marketing, and sustainable product innovation.
Quon closed her message with the hope that the students’ creativity and storytelling would inspire young people in the room and beyond to explore careers in advanced manufacturing.
And perhaps, one day, some of those future innovators may even join the SmartSolve team in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Building the Future of Packaging, Together
SmartSolve’s participation in What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® 2026 reflects our commitment to more than packaging innovation.
It reflects our belief in education, community partnership, and the power of inspiring future problem-solvers.
As we continue developing water-soluble packaging solutions that help eliminate plastic waste, we are proud to support programs that show students what is possible when science, creativity, and purpose come together.
The future of manufacturing is not just about what we make.
It is about who we inspire to make it next.
Interested in Learning More About SmartSolve?
SmartSolve develops plastic-free, water-soluble packaging materials designed to help brands reduce waste, rethink packaging, and create more sustainable product experiences.
Ready to explore what water-soluble packaging can do for your product?
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