THE finalists have been announced for the 2026 Plastics Industry Awards.
The awards recognise innovation, sustainability and manufacturing excellence across the plastics industry. Winners will be announced at an event in London on Friday 20 November, hosted by Holly Walsh, the BAFTA award-winning writer, executive producer, director and comedian.
Organisers revealed that recycling and sustainability remain key themes in the awards’ 25th anniversary year, with strong entries across the Recycler of the Year, Sustainable Product Design and new EPR Leadership categories.
Greyparrot, Matrix Plastics, Prevented Ocean Plastic and Trioworld have all been shortlisted for the EPR leadership award. Coveris Winsford, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery (UK) and Bespak have won through in the new Smart Manufacturing Award.
Coveris Winsford is also among the companies shortlisted for the Processor of the Year Award. Plastek UK, Nolato Jaycare, Flambeau Europe and Hymid Multi-Shot are the other finalists.
The awards also celebrate individual achievement, recognising rising talent through the Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award, as well as long-term contributions with the Unsung Hero and the Plastics Industry Ambassador Awards.
“We’ve had a 30% uplift in entries compared to last year, so congratulations to the finalists in the 25th anniversary edition of the Plastics Industry Awards,” said Matt Barber, global events director at Crain Communications. “I look forward to celebrating this landmark anniversary with many familiar and new faces as we honour outstanding achievements across the industry. Please join us for this year’s special celebration.”
The full list of 2026 finalists is:
Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – sponsored by Meusburger
- Dylan Buchanan, GoTools
- Jordan Donnelly, S&A Academy
- Alex Hitchmough, Coveris
- Jake Hoare, Matrix Plastics
- Suleymaan Khan, FANUC UK
- Andy Lawson, Plastek UK
- Vincent Marimanzi, ARBURG
Best Business Initiative of the Year
- FANUC UK, Hi-Tech Automation, PlastikCity, Sierra 57 Consult
- Flambeau Europe
- Greyparrot
- IPL Brightgreen
- Mouldshop
- PlastikMedia (a division of PlastikCity Ltd)
- Plastribution
- Sierra 57 Consult
Best Training & Development Programme of the Year – sponsored by The Plastek Group
- Arburg, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)
- Flambeau Europe, Sierra 57 Consult
- GoTools
- Plasmotec, Sierra 57 Consult
- SGH Moulds, Sierra 57 Consult
- Sierra 57 Consult, WHS Plastics
- SILTEQ, The S&A Academy
EPR Leadership
- Greyparrot
- Matrix Plastics
- Prevented Ocean Plastic
- Trioworld
Material Innovation Award
- Innovia Films, Bantam Materials UK
- Plastic Technology Services, Waterhaul
- IPL Schoeller, KraussMaffei Group UK
- KluraLabs, Matrix Plastics
- Crowcon Detection Instruments, Hymid Multi-Shot
Plastics Industry Ambassador
- Dr Diane Aston FIMM, Worshipful Company of Horners
- Jonathan Attwood, IPL Brightgreen
- Gerald Bloom, Big Bear Plastic Products
- Sujoy Bose, Coveris
- Mark Guyett, Mouldshop
- Magdalena Parish, IPL Brightgreen
- Samantha Smallwood, IPL Brightgreen
Processor of the Year – sponsored by Engel UK
- Plastek UK
- Nolato Jaycare
- Flambeau Europe
- Coveris Winsford
- Hymid Multi-Shot
Recycler of the Year
- Recyplas
- Aylesbury Granulation
- Polymer Matters
- IPL Brightgreen
Smart Manufacturing Award
- Coveris Winsford
- Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery (UK)
- Bespak
Supplier Partnership – Auxiliary
- JCS, Optimum IQ
- Plastech Solutions, Vernacare
- S I Protech, TH Plastics
Supplier Partnership – Prime Machinery – sponsored by Interplas
- FANUC UK, Hi-Tech Automation, Nolato Jaycare
- ENGEL UK, WHS Plastics
- Arburg, Bockatech, Plastek UK
- BOY, Concept Plastics, DCV Engineering
- Hozelock, NPM Group, Plastech Solutions
- Plastic Products International (PPI), STV Machinery
- ENGEL UK, Great Central Plastics
- Counterplas, KraussMaffei Group UK
Supplier Partnership – Toolmaker
- GoTools, Polymermedics
- Adreco Plastics, DotDot
- Plastech Solutions, Technical Service Consultants, Goodbrand Plastics
Sustainable Product Design
- Renova, Plasmotec, Rankin Bros and Sons
- PolyFlex Thermoform, Coveris
- Reusable Fries Holder, DeSter, Matrix Plastics
Unsung Hero
- Steve Barrowcliff, GoTools
- Tony Campbell, Mouldshop
- Adam Dye, Bespak
- Danielle Hilton, Plastek UK
- Evie Jenkins, Broadway Colours
- Samadarra Kuruwitage, Recyplas
- Zoe Pearson, Broadway Colours
- Mike Richardson, Coveris
- Daley Williams, Plastech Solutions
The Polyurethane Innovation Award will also be announced on the night. For more information visit: www.plasticsawards.com
