BPF Annual Dinner 2023 - Uniting The Industry

The British Plastics Federation’s Annual Dinner took place in London yesterday on the 12 October 2023 in celebration of the BPF's 90th Dinner . The evening was hugely well received, selling out months in advance and filled with over 500 guests from all areas of the UK plastics industry - a perfect opportunity for networking and celebration. It was also a wonderful occasion to present the BPF Award 2023 (part of the Horners Awards), the BPF Gold Medal, and the BPF Energy Award!

As a trade association with over 550 member companies from across the plastics industry supply chain, the BPF represents everything from raw material suppliers to recyclers. It was lovely to see the full range of its membership present at the annual dinner, with representatives from every major subsector.

Find photos from the event here!

BPF Director General, Philip Law, opened the evening introducing the BPF's gift to all guests... the brand-new 'Polymer Trumps' - a fun plastics twist on the classic family card game. He stated: "You will see in front of you a pack of cards, indeed a game with a difference, which we hope will disseminate information about plastics among your staff, children and friends."

Law then introduced the BPF’s current president Nigel Flowers, Managing Director at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK Ltd. After commenting on how it was encouraging that the trade association had now grown to over 500 organisations, Flowers said:

The BPF really does get bigger and better with every year.  I’m sure that those who were at Interplas will agree that the BPF had an outstanding presence, a great stand, with clear messages, a strong presence in each of the Panel Debates whether it was on Productivity, Re-Shoring or Sustainability and four of our staff members together with several of our Honorary Officers were elected key influencers of the industry during the 75 year history of Interplas.  A great achievement!

Flowers then opened the stage for the awards portion of the evening, announcing:

BPF Gold Medal Award

A great delight of the President’s speech is awarding the BPF’s Gold Medal for Services to the BPF and to the industry. Flowers was delighted this year to present the award to an Antipodean in UK plastics.

An expert on all aspects our operations, Dr Robin Kent's career embraced Thermos, Rehau, Heywood Williams where he operated at Board level. He then set up his own Consultancy Tangram Technologies, making Energy Efficiency his own special subject, long before it became fashionable. His most recent work published by the BPF was ‘Sustainable Management in Plastics Processing’ was an absolute ‘tour de force’. As Chairman of the Windows Group Technical Committee in the 1990s and as Chairman of the Plastics Consultancy Network, Robin has been a considerable support to not only the BPF, but the entire industry.

BPF Energy Award

The BPF Energy Award for outstanding achievements in energy savings went to James Walker & Co of Cockermouth with a judicious programme of replacing old equipment, replacement of a mould train, fitting a more efficient HV transformer, upgrading heating and energy efficient lighting.

BPF Horners Award

The winner of the 2023 British Plastics Federation Award was Ridgidrain by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation - the very first twinwall surface drainage system in the UK with Highways Authority Product Approval Scheme status, which is made from 100% recycled, high strength HDPE. The BPF and Horners Committee were impressed with its excellent performance, as the product promotes all the benefits of sustainability (lower embodied carbon, strength, and lower weight) without compromising on long term effectiveness.

The evening then finished with a fantastic speech from the well known public figure Ed Balls. He was introduced by Flowers: "originally a Nottingham boy, Ed held high political office as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and was Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. He has also held distinguished academic positions at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and at Kings College London where he is Professor of Political Economy. He is equally adept on the dance floor as we admired in Strictly Come Dancing, he’s a prize winning chef and also presents on Good Morning Britain. And we haven’t even mentioned his Chairmanship of Norwich Football Club! Over to you Ed!"

Ed commended the industry on their resilience and hard work, especially throughout the pandemic.

There was over 500 delegates in attendance at the event at in London, which was kindly sponsored by LG Energy, Interplas, Krauss Maffei, Engel, Plastribution, Aplas, S&P Global Commodity Insights, K2025, Listgrove, Bole Machinery, Trowers and Hamlins, and Sierra 57 Consult, BPF Energy, and Arburg.

A huge thank you to all who attended to celebrate with us, if you’re interested in attending next year follow us on LinkedIn or check this page for updates so you don’t miss out on tickets!