TEMPE, Ariz. (April 17, 2014) - Philyra Paper Company, which diverts organic palm tree waste from landfills by converting it into a high quality paper and packaging substitute, won Perkins Coie’s third annual $10,000 Innovative Minds Grand Prize at Arizona State University’s Innovation Challenge awards on April 17.  Over 100 teams competed for the award, which provides an opportunity for students from across the university to create products and services that address some of the greatest challenges facing the world today.  Judges for the competition included Perkins Coie Phoenix partner Jennifer Understahl.  Phoenix partner Raj Gangadean presented the award.  Philyra Paper Company was conceived by ASU engineering graduate students David Anaya and Sam Johnson; they were mentored by Dr. Thomas P. Seager, Associate Professor, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.

“Perkins Coie has a strong commitment to the entrepreneur community,” said Perkins Coie partner Raj Gangadean.  “It’s very exciting to see such creativity and commitment, and we are honored to support intellectual curiosity at ASU.   Sponsoring student competitions like the Innovation Challenge is key to ensuring that innovation remains a driving force behind the success of Arizona business.  We congratulate Philyra Paper Company and the student entrepreneurs who worked so hard to be part of the competition.”

Philyra Paper Company intercepts and diverts waste from palm trees and converts it into an improved corrugated fiberboard substitute.  Its creation and use fills the gap for sustainable products, results in reduced environmental impacts compared to traditional disposal, assists the City of Phoenix in its waste diversion goals, and supports the small businesses that serve the 1.4 million residents of Phoenix.

Arizona State University is one of five campuses around the country, including the University of Colorado, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of California-Los Angeles and Northwestern University, to serve as home to an Innovative Minds competition.  Perkins Coie launched the program in 2011 to help advance creative thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The ASU Innovation Challenge is a signature program of Changemaker Central at ASU , a university-wide student-led initiative designed to promote a culture of service and entrepreneurship at ASU.  Eleven finalist teams with a passion for innovation received a total of $40,000 to advance their ideas.

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