Covestro
Annabel Burton and Alexander Bordino at K 2016
Two product design students say that attending K 2016 as part of winning the annual ‘Design Innovation in Plastics’ competition has given them a new perspective on the possibilities available in the plastics industry.
Annabel Burton and Alexander Bordino, who won the student design competition in 2016 and 2015 respectively, spent a week with Covestro as part of their overall prize. This entailed a visit to the company’s headquarters in Leverkusen, as well as to the company’s stand at K in Dusseldorf.
The pair said the week had given them “new perspectives” on the plastics industry, with both keen to stress the potential opportunities awaiting students and young people interested in making it their career.
“The scale of the exhibition here at K Fair, and the industry itself is impressive, and it’s clear there are so many opportunities and directions young people such as ourselves can pursue,” commented Burton, who is in her third of study at Nottingham Trent University.
“I would say to young designers that you really should believe in yourselves. There are so many clever people here, but if you push the boundaries, be innovative and use these people as your inspiration, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be in their position in a few years’ time.”
Bordino, currently in his fourth year of study - also at Nottingham Trent - added: “I didn’t realise quite how big the plastics industry is!
“There are so many different avenues to explore, and it was especially fascinating to see how Covestro displayed and explained their products, showing not just how they work, but the potential new applications. The stand truly demonstrated their innovative culture, and opened my eyes as to what more is possible in the development of plastics.”
The students joined other young people at the Covestro stand’s ‘Career Bar’ where they engaged in workshops and interactive discussions to share ideas on new applications for plastics.