The Worshipful Company of Horners was pleased sponsor and attend the RECOUP Awards and RECOUP Plastics Assembly in Peterborough on 30th September to 1st October, bringing together people from across the plastics and recycling industry to celebrate innovation, share ideas and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Celebrating innovation at the RECOUP Awards
The RECOUP Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in plastics resource efficiency and recycling, highlighting organisations, projects and individuals helping to create a more circular plastics value chain.
The 2026 awards ceremony took place at the Holiday Inn Peterborough West on 30 September, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, brands, recyclers, policymakers and sustainability professionals.
This year’s winners demonstrated the breadth of innovation taking place across the plastics industry:
- Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology: Greyparrot – Deepnest by Greyparrot
- Recycled Plastic Product of the Year: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova
- Plastics Circularity Project of the Year: WRAP – The UK Plastics Pact
- Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova
- RECOUP Award of Recognition: Sherbourne Recycling
A day of discussion and innovation
The following day, the RECOUP Plastics Assembly brought together around 300 people from across the plastics value chain for a full day of discussion, networking and practical insight into the future of plastics. The programme focused on the regulatory, environmental and market pressures shaping the industry and, importantly, on finding practical solutions to support a more circular plastics economy.
The day began with registration and breakfast at 9.00am, followed by a welcome before delegates could choose from three parallel breakout sessions. These included:
- Designing Plastic Products for a Circular Future
- Recycling Infrastructure for Circular Plastics
- Who Drives Circular Behaviour – Rethinking Responsibility?
Following a break, delegates could choose from a second group of sessions covering:
- The Future of Materials: Sustainable Plastics, Plastic Alternatives, Composites & Beyond
- Stopping Plastic Pollution: Tackling Litter, Leakage & Waste Crime
- The Policy Landscape
After lunch, the programme continued with a session on Solutions for a Circular Economy, before closing thoughts at 3.45pm.
The range of subjects reflected the breadth of challenges facing the plastics industry, from product design and recycling infrastructure through to materials innovation, consumer behaviour, policy and the practical steps needed to improve circularity.
The Horners Innovation Room
The Horners were proud to sponsor the Innovation Room, a dedicated area showcasing innovative materials, technologies, processes and ideas aimed at supporting the future of a circular plastics economy. RECOUP describes the Innovation Room as a space where companies, researchers and universities can showcase cutting-edge developments driving progress towards a circular economy for plastics.
The Innovation Room was organised by Court Assistant Professor Stefaan Simons, and provided an opportunity for delegates to see a range of new and emerging approaches to plastics and sustainability.
This was a particularly good fit for the Horners, reflecting our commitment to supporting innovation, sustainability, skills and education within the polymer and plastics industry.
Deputy Master Rebecca Joyce and Court Assistant Karen Drinkwater manned the Horners’ stand during the Assembly, speaking to many people from across the plastics and polymer sector.
It was a great opportunity to explain more about who the Horners are, what we do and how the Company supports the industry. Conversations covered our work in promoting sustainability, developing skills and education, supporting young people and encouraging innovation across the polymer industry.
Events such as the RECOUP Plastics Assembly also provide an excellent opportunity for the Horners to meet people who may not previously have been familiar with the Company and to demonstrate that a modern livery company can play an active role in supporting the future of its industry.
It was particularly good for the Horners to see Horner Jim Armstrong, Chairman of RECOUP, playing such a prominent role throughout the event. Jim introduced and closed the event, as well as presenting awards during the evening.