Research
Food Science Facilities
Sensory Lab: The newly renovated Sensory Lab features eight individual panelist booths, equipped with precision-controlled multi-option LED lighting. The facility supports a variety of courses, including Dairy Product Evaluation and Food Product Development, as well as student- and faculty-led research. In addition, it operates as a Service Center, providing sensory and consumer testing services to industry partners.
Sensory evaluation projects conducted in the lab typically include study design, development of evaluation protocols, panelist recruitment, product preparation, test execution, statistical analysis, and record keeping. The space was intentionally designed from the ground up to meet the evolving research needs of our faculty, students, and industry collaborators well into the future.
Culinary Research Lab: Equipped with commercial-grade equipment and flexible workspaces, the Culinary Research Lab is a dynamic, hands-on environment where science and creativity intersect. Designed to support coursework, research, and student innovation, the lab provides a professional setting for culinary experimentation and product development.
Students use the space in courses, such as Culinary Fundamentals, Baking Science, Food Processing and Preservation, Food Product Development, and Quantity Food Production. It also supports undergraduate (i.e. Creative Inquiry) and graduate research projects with culinary and sensory applications. In addition, the lab plays a critical role in preparing standardized samples for sensory evaluation studies, ensuring precise formulation, controlled preparation, and reproducible results.
'55 Exchange Ice Cream MicroCreamery: The ’55 Exchange is a student-run retail operation that sells and serves Clemson’s world-famous ice cream and other Clemson-produced items. All revenues generated through the retail center go to support Clemson students and academic programs.
CRYOVAC® Retort Processing and Food Testing Laboratory: Retort pouches have been a growth market in the packaging industry over the last several years. Clemson has been ahead of the curve in this field and has taken a huge leap forward with the newly renovated CRYOVAC® Retort Processing and Food Testing Laboratory. With ample space and two retorts, top-level testing and research can be done quickly and efficiently.
Packaging Science Facilities
The DuPont "Miracles of Science" Laboratory: The first step in creating new packaging is creating the materials. In the DuPont Lab plastics are extruded filled and sealed to create various forms of flexible packaging.
The Clemson Package Dynamics Lab: Once primary packages have been created they must be unitized for shipment by truck, train, air or rail. These shipping environments can be simulated in our labs. Packages can be tested and observed to determine the time and types of failures. This information is then used to redesign the products or packaging.
The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics is housed in the Harris A Smith Building. The newest building on the Clemson Campus. It is a state-of-the-art design center where Packaging and Graphic Communications students can collaborate and create synergy in the design and printing of packages.
CEFPACK: The Clemson University Center for Flexible Packaging (CEFPACK) is a membership organization which offers testing and development services related to flexible packaging for industry consumer product companies and packaging suppliers, and also provides a wonderful educational environment for Clemson students.
Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (SPIL) is a USDA‑funded initiative developed under the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) program. SPIL supports research and commercialization of sustainable packaging solutions for U.S. specialty crop exports, helping suppliers comply with emerging global regulations.
Compostability Testing: We provide comprehensive evaluations of sustainable packaging materials through laboratory, field and home‑scale testing. Using industry‑recognized methods, our experts assess disintegration, chemical composition and environmental impact to ensure materials meet compostability standards. These services help bring effective, eco‑friendly packaging solutions to market with confidence.
