The BPF Horners Awards
The prestigious BPF Horners Awards are hosted annually by the Worshipful Company of Horners (“Horners”) and the British Plastics Federation (“BPF”). The awards promote excellence, sustainability, and innovation across the plastics and polymer industries.
Deadline For Entries: 9th July 2026
History of the Awards
The BPF Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design is believed to be the oldest design award for plastics in the world. Created in 1946, it has since been a cornerstone of the industry’s support for innovation and design excellence for 80 years.
Our second award is the David Williams Award for Social Contribution through Plastics. This was established in 2021 in honour of David Williams (1946–2020), former President of the BPF and Master of the Worshipful Company of Horners in 2011. David was a major influence in the plastics industry and a passionate advocate for the positive role that plastic products play in society, particularly in supporting sustainable development.
All those who enter for the BPF Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design will also be considered for the David Williams Award, if they think it meets the criteria and they select the option on the entry form that they would like their entry to be judged for both awards. However, we also welcome direct entries to the David Williams Award.
For a fill history of the award CLICK HERE
Winners of the awards receive:
 An invitation for the winner of the David Williams Award to attend the Horners’ Annual Banquet at Mansion House, the magnificent Palladian-style official residence of the Lord Mayor of London |
| An invitation for the winner of the BPF Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design to the BPF Annual Dinner, where their achievements will be recognised by senior industry leaders |
| An official certificate and engraved honorary trophy |
| A digital winners’ badge for use on company websites and marketing materials |
| A dedicated BPF press release which is widely circulated, highlighting the innovation, company and achievement |
| Potential inclusion in the BPF Top Innovations 2026 list |
| Promotion across BPF and Horners social media channels |
| The opportunity to join the Worshipful Company of Horners, either through its corporate or individual membership schemes |
| The opportunity to take part in a range of promotional activities sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Horners and the BPF, as and when deemed appropriate. We wish to maintain a long-term relationship with all our winners For some useful tips and guidance on entering the award CLICK HERE |
How Do I Enter?
Entering only takes 5 minutes and the rewards are endless!
All we need is a concise description and justification of your entry, any images and videos you have of the innovation, if possible a physical sample of the product (which we're happy to return to you after judging has taken place), and any other additional details you wish to include.
You are entering with a chance to win the Innovation & Design Award or David Williams Award.
NOTE: Guidance notes about entering can be found HERE
The Awards
BPF Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design
An innovation that contains or relates to a polymer (natural or synthetic), including plastic products (including packaging), processes, machinery, materials, services or concepts.
David Williams Award for Social Contribution through Plastics
Open to polymer and plastics products and/or related services that make an outstanding contribution to society, for example in healthcare, education, sustainability, or nutrition.
Entry Criteria
All entries must demonstrate the following three criteria:
Innovation
Innovation in function, form, manufacture, or use of materials, or a radical solution to an existing problem, clearly differentiated from alternative solutions already available.
Sustainability
Evidence that sustainability principles have been applied to the product and/or process design, addressing economic, societal, and/or environmental issues, including climate change and net zero. For the David Williams Award, societal impact must be paramount.
Market Potential
Significant UK content in design, materials, or manufacture, and either a proven record of, or clear potential for, commercial success. This should include defined markets, evidence of investment secured or identified, and targets for market share, productivity and growth. For early-stage startups and designers with new concepts, an understanding of the particular gap in the market the product/service is addressing should be demonstrated.
Entry Requirements
All entries must be submitted using the official entry form and must include:
| Contact details (name, telephone number, and email address) |
| The specific award being entered |
| A concise overview of the entry (maximum 200 words) |
| A description of how the entry is innovative, the problem it addresses and how it differs from alternative solutions (maximum 200 words) |
| A description of how sustainability principles have been applied, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, or circular-economy benefits. Entries for the David Williams Award must also emphasise social impact (maximum 200 words) |
| A description of the UK content and market potential of the entry, including, where appropriate, commercial success, market presence, return on investment and plans for increased productivity and growth (maximum 200 words) |
| Links to supporting information accessible to the judges, such as websites or promotional videos |
| Up to three publicly available supporting files uploaded via the entry form |
| Acceptance of terms and conditions |
Short-listed entries may be requested to supply samples or further information to assist the judges in reaching their final decision.
Key Dates and Judging
The deadline for entries is 9th July 2026.
Short-listing will take place in August, with final in-person judging on 1 September 2026. All entrants will be informed of the outcome by email shortly afterwards.
The judging panel consists of representatives from the BPF, the Worshipful Company of Horners, and the PMMDA, with extensive experience and knowledge of the plastics and polymer industries.
Award winners, or their representatives, should be available to attend the relevant awards presentation in October 2026, either at the Horners’ Annual Banquet or the BPF Annual Dinner.
BPF Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design
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2025: Cubis Systems: PROtrough 350: Reinventing Cable Protection with Polymer Innovation Cubis Systems won the Horner’s Award for Plastics Innovation & Design with their PROtrough 350, a pioneering polymer-based cable protection system. The judges were impressed by how it delivers a lighter, safer, and more sustainable alternative to traditional concrete systems. By reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent and being adopted across major UK infrastructure projects, PROtrough 350 is a great example of how polymer innovation can drive both environmental and operational benefits. |
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2024: Loughborough University’s Next-Generation Additive Manufactured Police Body Armour Loughborough university recognised that body armour development for frontline policing had stagnated, especially regarding knife and spike threats. They also noted that recent developments are typically with limited-to-no consideration of female users or individuals that have body shapes incompatible with traditional sizing - which leads to officers wearing body armour that is uncomfortable and less effective. That’s exactly why they developed and successfully demonstrated both polymer laser sintered and hybrid aramid-laser sintered body armour panels, capable of providing multi-strike protection against knife, spike, and handgun ballistic threats – in line with the UK Home Office’s Body Armour Standard. |
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2023: Suscons' Emergency Relief System Their shelter is made from 75% recycled PVC window and door frames and can be 100% recycled after its 10 year lifespan without significant loss in physical properties, creating a closed loop humanitarian society. |
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2022: Variable Diameter Dual Directional Flow Air Ring An innovative system designed to increase productivity of the blown film process by adding additional cooling above the frost line. Global customers who run VarDAR have not only seen the significant benefit of increased productivity, seen reduced scrap levels (reducing waste), but also improved aesthetic appearance - improving efficiencies. |
| ...list of winners from 1947 to present day | |
David Williams Award Winners
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2025: Future Makers: Carpet Creates: A Circular Collaboration between Future Makers, MJ’s Event Services and Blu Sky Technical Services 2025's David Williams Award was awarded to Future Makers for their Carpet Creates project. In collaboration with MJ's Event Services and Blu Sky Technical Services, Future Makers developed an innovative system that transforms recycled event carpet into stylish, interlocking furniture. The project impressed the judges for its design-led circularity, diverting material from landfill whilst creating practical, attractive products that can be fully recycled at the end of their life. |
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2023: Suscons’ Emergency Relief Shelter Their shelter is made from 75% recycled PVC window and door frames and can be 100% recycled after its 10 year lifespan without significant loss in physical properties, creating a closed loop humanitarian society. |
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2022: Zara King's EasyMode Zara designed EasyMode, a re-usable bedpan that has a replaceable pulp liner. The bedpan is designed with a wide base to improve ease of use and reduce spillages in healthcare settings. |
Useful Links
Previous Winner
- BPF Horners Award for Polymer Innovation and Design (1947-Present Day)
- David Williams Award (2022-Present Day)
History of the BPF Horners Award
Notes for Entrants (tips and tricks for success)
About the David Williams Award
