A Strong Collaboration Between Education and Industry
Earlier this year, Unger had the pleasure of mentoring three high school students participating in Ungt Entreprenørskap Østfold, part of Ungt Entreprenørskap Norge’s Youth Enterprise program. Their dedication and professionalism has been recognized with the award for “Best Collaboration with Businesses.”
This Youth Enterprise program challenges upper secondary students to develop a product from an idea to a market-ready concept. From formulation and packaging to branding and presentation, the process mirrors real industrial development — making collaboration with local businesses an essential part of the journey.
Developing Sustainable Powder Shampoo
The students approached Unger with an ambitious concept: a powder-based shampoo designed to be activated with water directly in the shower. The goal was clear — combining strong performance with improved sustainability.
Powder formulations reduce water content and can contribute to lower transportation impact, but they can also introduce technical challenges. Foaming behavior, stability, and rinse performance must meet consumer expectations.
By sharing our formulation expertise, we supported the team in translating their ideas into a technically viable solution while maintaining their sustainability ambitions to produce an effective powder shampoo prototype.
Recognizing Young Talent and Investing in the Future
The team was awarded “Best Collaboration with Businesses” during a recent regional exhibition — a recognition of both the strength of the partnership and the students’ ability to integrate professional feedback into their project work.
At Unger, we believe that sharing knowledge and industry expertise is essential to driving innovation forward. Supporting initiatives like Ungt Entreprenørskap allows us to contribute to the development of future professionals while strengthening connections within our local community.
By engaging with students at an early stage, we not only help bridge the gap between education and industry but also encourage new perspectives on sustainability and product development. These collaborations are a valuable reminder that innovation often comes from fresh thinking — and that nurturing young talent is an important part of building a more sustainable future.
