Notes for Entrants

These Notes for Entrants are intended to help applicants understand what the judges are looking for and how entries will be assessed.

They are provided as guidance only and do not form part of the formal entry submission.

Entrants are strongly encouraged to read this page before completing the Entry Form.

Contents

• General guidance for all entries
• Entry title and overview (maximum 200 words)
• Innovation and problem solving (maximum 200 words)
• Sustainability and social impact (maximum 200 words)
• Additional guidance for the David Williams award
• UK content and market potential (maximum 200 words)
• Supporting information and files

 

GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR ALL ENTRIES

• Be clear and concise. Judges will read many entries.
• Focus on substance rather than marketing language.
• Evidence and explanation are more persuasive than unsupported claims.
• Be clear about the maturity of your innovation – both early-stage and fully commercial solutions are welcome.
• Where data is not available, explain assumptions and rationale clearly.
• Confidential information should not be included unless already publicly available or approved for disclosure by the owner(s) of the Confidential Information.

ENTRY TITLE AND OVERVIEW (MAXIMUM 200 WORDS)

Purpose of this section 
This section sets the context for the judges. It should explain what the entry is, what it does, and why it matters.

What judges will be looking for 
• A clear description of the innovation and its application 
• The problem or opportunity being addressed 
• Why the solution is distinctive or significant 
• How it compares with existing solutions in the UK and internationally 

What strengthens an entry 
• A concise explanation that can be understood by the Judges, who work or have worked in the Plastics and Polymers field but may not be specific experts in the specific area in which the entrant is involved or the market to which the entry is targeted. 
• Clear articulation of the value proposition 
• Identification of who benefits and how 

Common pitfalls 
• Overly technical descriptions without context 
• Marketing slogans without explanation 
• Failure to explain why the innovation is genuinely different 

INNOVATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING (MAXIMUM 200 WORDS)

Purpose of this section 
This section assesses the originality and effectiveness of the innovation and how it addresses a real-world challenge.

What judges will be looking for 
• Understanding of existing technologies or approaches 
• The specific problem or limitation being addressed 
• How innovation has been applied to overcome challenges 
• Practicality, robustness, and potential for scale 

What strengthens an entry 
• Clear problem–solution logic 
• Explanation of technical, commercial, or regulatory challenges and how they were overcome 
• Evidence that the innovation works as intended 

Common pitfalls 
• Describing features without explaining impact 
• Incremental changes presented as transformational 
• Lack of clarity on why the problem mattered 

SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT (MAXIMUM 200 WORDS)

Purpose of this section 
This section evaluates how sustainability principles or positive societal outcomes have been incorporated into the product, service, or process.

What judges will be looking for 
• Environmental benefits such as reduced material use, lower carbon footprint, energy efficiency, recyclability, or circular-economy contribution 
• Social benefits such as improved health, safety, wellbeing, access, education, or community outcomes 
• Credible reasoning behind sustainability or social impact claims 

Important clarification 
Formal Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are welcomed but not required. Clear, honest explanation of impacts, assumptions, and trade-offs is preferred.

Additional guidance for the David Williams Award

The David Williams Award recognises innovations that deliver a clear, positive contribution to society, reflecting David Williams’ belief that plastics, when responsibly designed and applied, can play a meaningful role in improving people’s lives.

For this award, social impact means demonstrable benefit to people or communities, beyond commercial success alone. Judges will look for evidence that social benefit is an intentional outcome, such as improved health, safety, wellbeing, access, education, or quality of life.

Environmental benefits may be considered where they result in clear societal outcomes. Quantitative data is welcomed but not required; credible explanation, real-world use, and honest assessment of impact are equally valued.

What strengthens an entry 
• Use of data, benchmarks, or comparisons where available 
• Transparency about limitations or areas for improvement 
• A clear link between the innovation and real-world impact 

Common pitfalls 
• Vague or generic sustainability claims 
• Overstatement without supporting evidence 
• Confusing intent with demonstrated impact 

UK CONTENT AND MARKET POTENTIAL (MAXIMUM 200 WORDS)

Purpose of this section 
This section assesses commercial credibility and contribution to the UK economy.

What judges will be looking for 
• Level of UK involvement in design, development, manufacturing, or supply chain 
• Defined target markets and customers 
• Evidence of market traction, pilots, partnerships, or investment 
• Realistic timescales for commercialisation and growth 

What strengthens an entry 
• Clear explanation of UK content and value creation 
• Evidence of customer interest or early adoption 
• A credible route to market and growth plan 

Common pitfalls 
• Overly optimistic market claims without support 
• Unclear link to UK activity or benefit 
• Lack of focus on commercial reality 

SUPPORTING INFORMATION AND FILES

Supporting materials may include links, documents, or samples. These are extremely helpful to judges where available.

FINAL NOTE Judges value clarity. Entries that clearly explain purpose, impact, and potential will score more strongly than those relying on marketing language or unsupported claims.