The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers has announced the launch of a new Manufacturing category for the 2026 Innovation Excellence Awards (IEAs), reflecting the growing impact of advanced manufacturing, coatings, and materials innovation across the communications and content industries.
The 2026 Awards will culminate in a glittering champagne reception, lunch, and ceremony at Stationers’ Hall on Friday, 23 October 2026, bringing together leaders from communications, publishing, packaging, print, materials science, and manufacturing to celebrate the most creative and forward thinking organisations shaping the future of the sector.
The new Manufacturing category has been introduced to recognise the rapid evolution of materials-led innovation - from sustainable coatings and advanced substrates to smart packaging and next generation production processes - that are redefining how products are designed, produced, and experienced.
Kate Howell and Vida Barr-Jones, Co-Chairs of the Innovation Excellence Awards, said: “Over the past few years, we’ve seen extraordinary growth in innovation driven by coatings, materials science, and advanced manufacturing - from sustainable packaging and barrier technologies to new production methods that improve performance, reduce environmental impact, and unlock entirely new applications.
Introducing a Manufacturing category allows us to properly recognise the brilliant work happening at the intersection of materials, technology, and creativity - and to celebrate the engineers, manufacturers, and innovators who are quietly transforming our industries from the inside out.”
2026 Innovation Excellence Awards CategoriesFor 2026, entries will be invited across the following categories:
· Business Process
· Communications and Engagement
· Customer Experience
· Education Technology
· Product Design
· Start Up
· Manufacturing (New for 2026)
Ongoing Sponsorship Support
The Stationers’ Company is delighted to confirm that Pearson and Picon have renewed their sponsorship for the 2026 Innovation Excellence Awards. Their continued support plays a vital role in enabling the Awards to champion innovation, sustainability, and excellence across the communications and content industries. The Company is now welcoming expressions of interest from organisations wishing to support the 2026 Awards through a range of tailored sponsorship opportunities, designed to align partners with innovation, sustainability, and leadership across the communications, content, materials, and manufacturing sectors.
Further details about categories, judging, sponsorship, and entry timelines can be found at:
https://www.stationers.org/company/engagement-with-our-industries/innovation-excellence-awards-intro www.stationers.org