Impact: Injection Molding Design Performance Call for Submissions

IMPACT: Injection molding Performance Awards 2026 Award Winners

The inaugural IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards program honored the most groundbreaking plastic parts developed through injection molding, spotlighting achievements on both a national and international scale. Winning entries were displayed and judged during ANTEC® 2026, showcasing cutting-edge work in design, manufacturing, and applications that are shaping the future of injection molding. Winners were announced during the Injection Molding Technical Division's reception at ANTEC®.

Entries were plastic parts in active commercial production and student concepts were welcomed in the prototype category. Parts must have been introduced within the past 24 months. And all entries needed to utilize injection molding processes.

Each submission judging was based on:

Design Good design practice, including no flash, no sink marks, no warpage, etc.
Customer Needs Meets customer business expectations with good market performance
Innovation Creative in problem solving, use of new materials, cutting-edge applications and manufacturing techniques
Human Centered Human factors and benefits; improves quality of life
Aesthetics Aesthetic in form, function, and color
Sustainability Reduces negative impact on the environment, health, and society

Winners

Best of Show

ECO Seat

The SIMOLDES Eco Seat is a next‑generation circular seating system developed by SIMOLDES, combining structural innovation, advanced injection molding and end‑of‑life circularity in a lightweight, modular architecture. Its core is a single‑piece structural shell in PP‑GF, injection‑molded using Water Injection Technology (WIT) to generate internal tubular channels that increase bending stiffness and torsional rigidity with minimal mass. This design achieves a ~15% weight reduction compared with a traditional seat structure while maintaining visible‑surface integrity. Comfort and load support are provided by a mechanical textile suspension in partially recycled polyester, fully recyclable and mounted through tool‑free mechanical anchoring.

Automotive Excellence

ECO Wishbone
The Eco Wishbone is an innovative hybrid suspension component designed for urban electric vehicles (L7e category). This part combines high-performance recycled thermoplastic over-molded onto a metal insert, using advanced Water-Assisted Injection Molding Technology (WIT) to achieve superior mechanical properties and improved sustainability goals. The design focuses on lightweight construction, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility. By replacing traditional full-metal solutions with a hybrid structure, the Eco Wishbone reduces overall weight, contributing to lower energy consumption and extended range for electric vehicles.

Consumer Excellence

YETI Rambler Insulated Food Jar
The YETI Rambler Insulated Food Jars are a rugged, elegant, and reliable solution to keeping meals hot or cold on the go. Available in 8oz, 16oz, and 24oz capacities—each jar delivers exceptional thermal performance through double‑wall vacuum insulation. The focus of this submission is the YETI MagVent™ Lid, a 100% leakproof, two‑piece system that vents steam as it opens and disassembles easily for thorough cleaning. Other food jars may require separate actions to open, are hard to clean, or are not 100% leakproof. The YETI Food Jar lid accomplishes all this in just two components. Toss the jar into your backpack without a second thought – no mess, just food that stays at the perfect temperature.

Commercial/Industrial Excellence

Blue Ribbon Bread Crate
At the heart of this design is a commitment to efficiency, hygiene, and sustainability. Tasked by Blue Ribbon, one of South Africa's leading bread brands, we reimagined their traditional plastic bread crate to address key challenges in bread distribution and environmental impact. The innovative Blue Ribbon crate is more than just a container; it’s a game-changer in bread logistics. Made from poly recyclable plastic, it boasts a design that prioritizes strength, airflow, and sustainability. Its unique hexagonal ventilated base pattern enhances durability, reducing the risk of damage while keeping the bread fresh during storage and transit. The crate’s efficient stackability and nesting ability optimize truck space, improving delivery efficiency and reducing waste.

Graduate Student Concept Award

Defect-free Surface Micro/Nano Structures
The Ni-PTFE nanocomposite mold is a cutting-edge solution designed for large-scale defect-free production of micro/nano-manufactured polymeric components, such as microfluidic devices. By incorporating lubricating PTFE nano-fillers into a nickel (Ni) matrix via electrodeposition, this mold addresses the key challenges of high adhesion, high friction, and limited tool lifetime encountered during micro injection molding and nanoimprinting.

Undergraduate Student Concept Award

River Hawk Shoe Charm
The River Hawk Shoe Charm is a decorative accessory designed to fit shoes with perforations, such as Crocs. It was designed and manufactured as part of the Mold Engineering class at UMass Lowell, which is the ABET culminating design experience for the plastics engineering curriculum. The project, called “Art to Part” allows students to imagine a product on paper, model it in CAD, create tooling splits and run flow simulations, machine the mold insert and develop an injection molding process for the part. We chose a part that would represent school spirit for the UMass Lowell River Hawks and serves a dual purpose: to boost school pride and to promote Plastics Engineering as a field of study.