Polyurethane Innovation Award 2026 finalists named

Four projects have been shortlisted for the Polyurethane Innovation Award at the 2026 Plastics Industry Awards. The selected developments address materials, recycling and sustainable manufacturing in the polyurethane sector. They include bio-based and biodegradable polyurethanes intended to prevent persistent microplastics, recyclable foam technology for mattress springs, polyols derived from renewable carbon and a process for depolymerising polyurethane foams with carbonates. The organisers state that the finalists reflect different approaches to improving the environmental performance of polyurethanes, covering material design, renewable feedstocks and end-of-life product recycling. The award forms part of the 25th anniversary edition of the Plastics Industry Awards, which recognises innovation, sustainability and manufacturing performance across the polymer industry.

Four shortlisted projects

The finalists for the Polyurethane Innovation Award are:

• Soleic, high-performance, bio-based and biodegradable polyurethanes designed to prevent persistent microplastics, developed by Algenesis Labs, with European distribution by Safic-Alcan.
• Podz, a recyclable foam technology intended to provide an alternative approach to mattress springs, developed by Carpenter Co.
• Redeeming CO2, a route to more sustainable polyurethanes using polyols from renewable carbon, developed by Econic Technologies.
• Making mattresses circular, a project focused on depolymerising polyurethane foams with carbonates, developed by the University of Twente and Shell Plc.

Together, the projects cover several stages of the polyurethane value chain. Their scope ranges from the selection and development of feedstocks to product design and technologies intended to recover materials after use.

Awards ceremony in London

The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on 20 November 2026 at the InterContinental London Park Lane. The event will be hosted by Holly Walsh, a two-time BAFTA award-winning writer, executive producer, director and comedian.