Nico Stillwell of Protomax Plastics (5th from left) accepted the M&S Big Innovation Pitch award at London’s Ecobuild event
The sustainable alternative to plywood used for hoardings and other applications, Stormboard, was announced as joint winner of M&S Big Innovation Pitch at Ecobuild 2017.
In its third consecutive year, Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch provides the industry with a platform to pitch innovative building products and engineering solutions. The initiative supports M&S’ Plan A sustainability strategy: to source responsibly, reduce waste and help communities, with the ultimate goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer.
Manufactured by Protomax Plastics and distributed exclusively in the UK by Amari Plastics, Stormboard is a sustainable alternative to plywood, produced from mixed waste plastics, that can be used in place of plywood (and without PVC/paint) for temporary works such as hoardings.
‘The standard of entries was brilliant this year,’ said Imogen Cust, engineering R&D manager for property, development and facilities management at M&S. ‘The winners stood out because they have used their industry knowledge and their passion to solve real life M&S challenges.’
Speaking after winning the Big Innovation Pitch, Nico Stillwell, imagineer from Protomax Plastics said: ‘I didn’t expect to win at all. Our idea was so different because no one else was talking about recycling but it seems to have captured the imagination of M&S.’
‘This is a well deserved accolade for Protomax Plastics,’ commented Jamie Manifold, director – supplier relations at Amari Plastics. ‘Stormboard is a truly innovative material that addresses a global sustainability issue by reducing pressure on landfill.’
