The IMPACT Awards will honor the most outstanding plastic parts produced through injection molding, highlighting achievements in design, engineering, manufacturing, sustainability, and human-centered innovation. Open to commercial products and student concepts alike, the program offers both national and international visibility for work that is shaping the future of plastics manufacturing.
Injection molding continues to be one of the most influential and versatile manufacturing processes in the plastics industry. The IMPACT Awards are designed to spotlight the ingenuity, creativity, and technical excellence behind the parts that drive innovation.
Why Enter
The IMPACT Awards provide a global platform to showcase cutting-edge injection-molded products—from everyday consumer goods to complex industrial, medical, automotive applications, and more. Winners and finalists gain industry recognition, professional credibility, and exposure to peers, customers, and decision-makers across the plastics ecosystem.
Eligibility Requirements
- Parts must be in active commercial production (student concepts are also accepted)
- Products must have been introduced to market within the past 24 months
- All submissions must utilize injection molding processes
Award Categories
- Automotive / Transportation
- Manufacturing / Commercial / Industrial Equipment
- Medical and Health
- Consumer (Children, Housewares, Furniture, etc.)
- Sports and Recreation
- Student (Prototypes / Concepts)
Judging Criteria
A blue-ribbon panel of industry experts will evaluate entries for the “WOW!” factor, considering:
- Design: Quality of execution, including absence of defects
- Customer Needs: Market performance and business impact
- Innovation: Creative problem-solving, materials, and manufacturing techniques
- Human-Centered Design: Benefits to users and quality of life
- Aesthetics: Excellence in form, function, and color
- Sustainability: Reduced environmental and societal impact
Important Dates
- Entry Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026
- Online Judging: February 17–19, 2026
- Finalists Notified: February 23, 2026
- Final Judging (in person at ANTEC® 2026): March 9, 2026
Recognition and Awards
Winners will be announced during a dedicated awards ceremony at ANTEC® 2026, taking place March 9–12, 2026, in Pittsburgh, PA.
For more information visit www.4spe.org/IMPACTAwards.
