SPE Automotive opens nominations for Hall of Fame, Most Innovative Use of Plastics awards

SPE Automotive Awards Gala 2025. Source | SPE Automotive Division

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Division has announced its 55th Automotive Innovation Awards Gala call for nominations. Awards will take place on Nov. 4, 2026, at the Laurel Manor in Livonia, Michigan.

Every year, SPE Automotive provides industry the opportunity for nominations in two key awards: The Most Innovation Use of Plastics Award and the Hall of Fame Award.

Most Innovative Use of Plastics

Nominations due date: Sept. 12, 2026.

Winners part nominations are divided ito 10 different categories:

Aftermarket and Limited Edition/Specialty Vehicles
Body Exterior
Body Interior
Chassis/Hardware
Electric and Autonomous Vehicle Systems
Sustainability
Materials
Powertrain
Process/Assembly/Enabling Technologies
Safety.

A “Grand Award” will be presented to the winning team from all category award winners.

During the competition phase of the event, dozens of teams made up of OEMs and suppliers present their part, system or complete vehicle module. To win, teams must survive a pre-competition review and two rounds of presentations before industry and media judges.

There is no cost to nominate parts, however, nominations that are accepted into the competition need to be presented (in person or via webinar) by their nominating teams to the SPE Automotive Division board of directors during the first round of Automotive Innovation Awards Competition judging, Sept. 24-25 at Celanese Corp. in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Finalists from that round advance to a second presentation before a panel of Blue Ribbon judges made up of media, retired chief engineers and other industry experts on Oct. 2 (also at Celanese Corp).

Learn more about nominations here.

Hall of Fame

Nominations due date: May 31, 2026.

What qualifies as this award?

Game-changing, successful worldwide, featuring innovative materials, process and application.
An application that has been in continuous use for 15 years or more.
An application that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the application of plastics in automotive vehicles.

The Hall of Fame committee consists of engineers, managers, executives, technical experts, SPE Fellows, SPE Honored Service Members and automotive industry technical experts that have served at least 30-plus years in the industry.

Submit online via this link.

Winners of each “Innovative Use” category, the Grand Award, Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement winner will all be honored during the Automotive Innovation Awards Gala on Nov. 4, 2026. Funds raised from the event are used to support SPE educational programs including technical seminars and conferences, which help educate and secure the role of plastics in the advancement of the automobile.

“With this year’s theme, ‘Plastics: The Road to Innovation!’ we highlight the critical role plastics play in driving progress — from design and performance to sustainability and advanced manufacturing,” says Jeffrey Helms, global automotive director at Celanese Corp. and returning 2026 SPE Automotive Innovation Awards chair. “We look forward to celebrating another year of breakthrough achievements and honoring the technologies shaping the future of automotive plastics.”