The finalists of this year’s Design Innovation in Plastics competition have been unveiled, showcasing a diverse array of product ideas aligned with the theme of Health and Wellbeing. As the global healthcare and wellbeing industry continues to expand, currently valued at over $1.5 trillion and projected to grow between 5 and 10 percent annually, there is a rising demand for innovative products that seamlessly fit into everyday life while enhancing physical and mental wellness.
Six undergraduate students from Brunel, De Montfort, Loughborough, Nottingham Trent, and TU Dublin universities will present their innovations to a judging panel in London on May 9.
Richard Brown, Chairman of the Judges, noted the challenge in narrowing down the entries: “After extensive deliberation, selecting the final six from about 15 promising entries was tough. The quality of the presentation boards and the interpretation of the brief were key factors. We eagerly anticipate reviewing the prototype products in the final session.”
Finalists are also invited to a two-day plastics processing training course at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag's UK training center, a leader in injection moulding technology. The judges also offered feedback to help improve their designs before the final presentations. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on June 20.
Since its inception in 1985, Design Innovation in Plastics has become Europe’s longest-running student plastics design award. Participants submit digital entries, and finalists present their concepts through presentations and models. All finalists receive a cash prize, a short placement with a UK design firm, and valuable industry connections. The competition is backed by the Worshipful Company of Horners, The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3), and industry leaders such as Covestro, encouraging universities to integrate the competition’s briefs into their coursework
This year’s finalists are:
- Krzystof Boroniec, TU Dublin, with ‘Nibbliee,’ a device that allows users to exercise chewing muscles in a fun and entertaining way.
- Romaine Crawford, Loughborough University, with ‘Serenity,’ a support device that helps people relax and improve their mental health.
- Henry Follett, Brunel University, with ‘Walking Stick’ an expandable walking stick which provides more stability for users.
- MH Leung, Brunel University, with ‘UE:1 Seat, an ergonomic seat designed to help people rehabilitate from back pain.
- Abbie Williams, Nottingham Trent University, with ‘Proflex, a knee strengthening brace that can help offset osteoarthritis.
- Harry Wragg, De Montfort University, with CPR+Aid, a device which enables people to apply the correct pressure in the right way when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).