Producer, entertainer and former Strictly Come Dancing pro Brendan Cole, revealed the 16 winners of the 2018 Plastics Industry Awards (PIAs) in glittering style at the London Hilton on Park Lane last night (28th September).

Award-winning product designs included a recycled flat-profile wine bottle commissioned by Garçon Wines for the mail order market. Produced by RPC M&H Plastics from 100% recycled PET, the bottles fit through a letterbox and can be recycled to produce further bottles, closing the plastics loop.

Consumer Product Design of the Year was The FlipPad, a medical-grade case for the iPad designed by FutureNova. Its wipe-clean design is built to withstand harsh infection control chemicals, whilst the touch-sensitive screen allows staff to control the iPad even when wearing surgical gloves. Another innovation for the healthcare market – a unique haemodialysis system designed by Smallfry Industrial Design & Innovation Strategy in consultation with patient user groups– won Industrial Product Design of the Year.

Brunel University student Sam Gutheridge, who designed an Intelligent Clinical Observation System which could save the NHS time, money and lives, was named Young Designer of the Year, and received a £1,000 prize courtesy of sponsor Motan.

The hotly contested and prestigious Processor of the Year Award went to Rosti Automotive Larkhall.

Several categories acknowledged the personal contributions that play an important part in the success of the UK plastics industry. The Unsung Hero Award went to unassuming mechanic Derek Bennett of Plastek UK, described by colleagues as “an ideal mentor for new engineers” and the “go-to man for maintenance task throughout the plant.” Another Plastek UK employee, Luke Peters, was named Apprentice of the Year and presented with a cheque for £500 from the PMMDA. He impressed the judges with his “combination of drive, determination, achievement and sense of responsibility.” Ambassador of the Year was Graeme Herlihy, Regional President West Europe, Engel.

Plastic container manufacturer MGB Plastics won Best Energy or Environmental Programme of the Year, having recently received certification from the Carbon Trust for ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’. Not only does the company manufacture wheeled bins from recycled material, it also implements collection schemes to promote recycling and segregation of waste streams at source and recycles redundant containers to make brand new bins.

There were eight strong finalists for the Best Business Initiative category, and judges described the winner RJG Technologies as “outstanding”.

Now in their 18th year, the Plastics Industry Awards comprise 16 categories covering product design, innovation, recycling, manufacturing, training and environmental performance, judged by a panel of industry experts. Matt Barber, sales and events director at Crain Communications, which organises the PIAs said: “The PIAs play a hugely important role in showcasing the best that the UK plastics industry has to offer, whilst reflecting the pace and technological change that has taken place in the industry in the past 12 months. The winning entries this year in particular demonstrated how innovative plastics product designs are providing vital solutions for our healthcare service, as well as contributing to a more sustainable society.”

Plastics Industry Awards 2018 Winners:

 

Consumer Product Design of the Year

The FlipPad by FutureNova

 

Quanta Dialysis Technologies by Smallfry Industrial Design and Innovation Strategy

 

RPC M&H Plastics - Garçon Wines’ rPET Flat Profile Wine Bottle 

 

Sam Gutheridge, Brunel University

 

Luke Peters, Plastek UK

 

Derek Bennett, Plastek UK

 

Trend Technologies

 

OGM

 

MGB Plastics

 

RJG Technologies

 

Rosti Automotive Larkhall

 

Piovan with forteq

 

Matrix Plastics with Floreon Transforming Packaging

 

Engel UK with MGS mfg Group

 

Faulkner Moulds with BCA

 

Sponsors of the Plastics Industry Awards 2018 include Engel UK, Distrupol, Hasco, Meusburger, Motan Colortonic, RJG Technologies, Plastech Solutions and PlastikCity. The awards also enjoy the support of industry associations including the British Plastics Federation, British Industrial Design Association, the Polymer Training & Innovation Centre, the Society of Plastics Engineers, RECOUP, GTMA and PMMDA.