Design Innovation in Plastics 2024 finalists announced
- Exceptional quality of entries on the theme of Living Off-Grid – Independently Powered Products
- Finalists to present in London on May 24 before a panel of industry judges
Six finalists have been announced for this year’s Design Innovation in Plastics competition – headline sponsored by Covestro – with judges praising the "exceptional" quality of the entries.
For the 2024 brief, undergraduate students from all around the UK and Ireland were invited to design independently powered products made primarily of plastics, capable of being used off-grid and targeted at either the domestic or sports and leisure markets.
Chairman of the DIP judging panel, Richard Brown, praised the sheer range and creativity of ideas as well as the quality of the products, which he said made the task of selecting six finalists from a vast number of entries particularly challenging.
"The final six have interpreted the brief in innovative ways, made good use of materials and demonstrated that they have researched their subject thoroughly in order to create their solution. We are very much looking forward to seeing them at the final judging session in London on May 24."
As part of their prize, all finalists have been invited to attend a two-day plastics processing training course at the UK headquarters of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, a world-leading manufacturer of injection moulding machines. The DIP judges have also provided each finalist with feedback and areas for improvement, so they can refine their products before May 24.
During the final judging, the products will be carefully evaluated and the results will be announced at the prize-giving ceremony on July 5, in London.
Design Innovation in Plastics is the longest running plastics competition of its kind in Europe, having been established in 1985. It is headline sponsored by Covestro, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, The Worshipful Company of Horners and also supported by leading design and plastics organisations.
This year’s finalists:
Gargi Agrawalla, Loughborough University: Ear Boost, a product for simutaneously dehumidifying and charging cochlear implants.
Brandon Hopkins, London South Bank University: Saltbuoy, a salt-water powered data buoy.
Jake Lee, Glasgow School of Art: SkinTemp, a core temperature sensor to keep people safe in cold water.
Jem Mitchell, Glasgow School of Art: Sentree, a sonic deterrent for trees to protect them from overgrazing.
Isabel Payne, Glasgow School of Art: SafiCase, a self-powered case for sterilising a menstrual cup with minimal water.
Joe Shade, De Montfort University: Beehive, a smart beehive for monitoring and providing information about the wellbeing of the bees.
About the Design Innovation in Plastics Award:
Established in 1985, Design Innovation in Plastics is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe. For more information visit: www.designinnovationplastics.org
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) is a major UK engineering institution and is the professional body for the advancement of materials, minerals and mining to governments, industry, academia, the public and the professions. For more information visit www.iom3.org
The Worshipful Company of Horners is one of the oldest livery companies in the City of London, formed to regulate the horn-working trade. In 1943 it adopted its modern equivalent, the plastics industry.
For more information visit www.horners.org.uk
About Covestro:
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is committed to becoming fully circular. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.4 billion in fiscal 2023. At the end of 2023, the company had 48 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
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