Barkston Plastics Ltd, one of the UK's most comprehensive and innovative plastics companies, has launched an ‘Innovations in Plastic’ awards scheme to help identify and celebrate the talent pool of designers, engineers, scientists, artists and technology students in UK universities. The winner of the ‘Innovations in Plastic’ award will be offered the chance to have their product put into manufacture and marketed.

Tim Kiernan, Managing Director of Barkston, said: “The idea behind the awards scheme is not only to recognise that we have a wealth of talent coming from our universities but also to celebrate the versatility of plastic. Many products that have been traditionally manufactured out of alternative materials are rapidly moving into production in plastic and this is great news for our industry and the future of British manufacturing.”

Launched on 1st September 2009, the competition is open to individuals or groups within any UK university. Items entered into the awards scheme must be made entirely or in part of plastic; can be stand alone products or parts of products; and can be functional or simply aesthetic. Products can be new inventions or improved versions of existing products.

By 1 February 2010 all applicants must submit a paragraph about their entry. Deadline for entry into the awards scheme is 1st May 2010 and judging will take place during June 2010.