Finalists Revealed for the 2026 Plastics Industry Awards

The finalists for the 2026 Plastics Industry Awards have been announced, recognising achievements across manufacturing, materials, sustainability, training and supplier partnerships. Winners will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony on Friday 20 November 2026 at the InterContinental London Park Lane, hosted by comedian and writer Holly Walsh.

Celebrating 25 years since their launch in 2001, the Plastics Industry Awards recognise the companies and individuals advancing the sector through innovation, business development and outstanding performance.

This year’s host, Holly Walsh, is a two-time BAFTA award-winning comedian, writer, executive producer and director. Her television appearances include Live at the Apollo, QI, Would I Lie To You?, Mock The Week and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She is also a creator, writer and executive producer of Motherland, which won the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy in 2022, and its sequel Amandaland, which secured her second award in the category in 2026.

At the Plastic Industry Awards, sustainability features across the 2026 shortlist, with categories including Recycler of the Year, Sustainable Product Design and EPR Leadership. Material Innovation and Smart Manufacturing also recognise businesses developing new approaches to materials and production.

People and skills remain an important part of the awards. Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Best Training and Development Programme of the Year, Unsung Hero and Plastics Industry Ambassador recognise contributions ranging from emerging talent to workforce development and wider industry support.

Collaboration across the supply chain is represented through three Supplier Partnership categories, covering Auxiliary Equipment, Prime Machinery and Toolmaker. Meanwhile, Best Business Initiative of the Year brings together eight shortlisted entries from across the sector.

The full list of 2026 finalists comprises:

Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

• Alex Hitchmough, Coveris
• Andy Lawson, Plastek UK
• Dylan Buchanan, GoTools
• Jake Hoare, Matrix Plastics
• Jordan Donnelly, S&A Academy
• Suleymaan Khan, FANUC 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 and Development Programme of the Year

• 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

• KluraLabs, Matrix Plastics
• Crowcon Detection Instruments, Hymid Multi-Shot
• IPL Schoeller, KraussMaffei Group UK
• Plastic Technology Services, Waterhaul
• Bantam Materials UK, Innovia Films

Plastics Industry Ambassador

• Dr Diane Aston FIMM, Worshipful Company of Horners
• Gerald Bloom, Big Bear Plastic Products
• Jonathan Attwood, IPL Brightgreen
• Magdalena Parish, IPL Brightgreen
• Mark Guyett, Mouldshop
• Samantha Smallwood, IPL Brightgreen
• Sujoy Bose, Coveris

Processor of the Year

• Coveris Winsford
• Flambeau Europe
• Hymid Multi-Shot
• Nolato Jaycare
• Plastek UK

Recycler of the Year

• Aylesbury Granulation
• IPL Brightgreen
• Polymer Matters
• Recyplas

Smart Manufacturing

• Bespak
• Coveris Winsford
• Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery (UK)

Supplier Partnership: Auxiliary Equipment

• JCS, Optimum IQ
• S I Protech, TH Plastics
• Plastech Solutions, Vernacare

Supplier Partnership: Prime Machinery

• ARBURG, Bockatech, Plastek UK
• BOY, Concept Plastics, DCV Engineering
• ENGEL UK, Great Central Plastics
• ENGEL UK, WHS Plastics
• FANUC UK, Hi-Tech Automation, Nolato Jaycare
• Counterplas, KraussMaffei Group UK
• Hozelock, NPM Group, Plastech Solutions
• Plastic Products International (PPI), STV Machinery

Supplier Partnership: Toolmaker

• Adreco Plastics, DotDot
• GoTools, Polymermedics
• Plastech Solutions, Technical Service Consultants, Goodbrand Plastics

Sustainable Product Design

• Reusable Fries Holder, De Ster, Matrix Plastics
• PolyFlex Thermoform, Coveris
• Renova, Plasmotec, Rankin Bros. and Sons

Unsung Hero

• Adam Dye, Bespak
• Daley Williams, Plastech Solutions
• Danielle Hilton, Plastek UK
• Evie Jenkins, Broadway Colours
• Mike Richardson, Coveris
• Samadarra Kuruwitage, Recyplas
• Steve Barrowcliff, GoTools
• Tony Campbell, Mouldshop
• Zoe Pearson, Broadway Colours

The awards evening will begin with a champagne reception, followed by dinner, the awards presentation and an after-party. Plastek is sponsoring the champagne reception and charity casino, while ENGEL UK is sponsoring the after-party.

Bookings are now open for the ceremony on Friday 20 November 2026 at the InterContinental London Park Lane. For booking, sponsorship and further information, visit the Plastics Industry Awards website.

Read more news about the Plastics Industry Awards here.