Many of us don’t consider plastic to be the most exciting of materials. When examining sports display cases, we’re probably much more interested in the contents than the construction of the case itself. However, there are plenty of people who have an interest in plastic and how it is being used in modern manufacturing. The Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (also known as the SPE) is certainly one of these groups. For forty years, they have hosted the Automotive Innovation Awards Competition, which celebrates the plastics injection molding company or other manufacturer who has shown the most innovative use of plastic in applications related to automobiles and other forms of ground transportation. It is the oldest such event anywhere in the world and is one of the most prestigious. In the past decade, the group has also recognized those executives who have been supportive of innovation within the industry. This year’s gala will be held in November in Detroit, MI.
There are many innovations that have been celebrated by the SPE, and there are sure to be many plastic prototypes honored in the future. Some of the advances that have received Automotive Innovation Awards relate to improved parts consolidation, reduction in weight, and a higher level of design and aesthetic freedom. Plastics have proven to be much more than simply cheap replacements for costly OEM parts. The competition helps draw attention to what an important role plastic plays in the design process and the engineering of parts.