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announced its third with a case prompt that encourages emerging ´óÏó´«Ã½ professionals to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize circularity in the plastics value chain.

Presented with the support of and , the competition calls for participants to learn about the modern plastics value chain while developing AI-supported ´óÏó´«Ã½ models to maximize circularity at any point within the value chain (preconsumer, during consumer use or postconsumer). Final submissions are due April 11. In June, five finalist teams will present their concepts virtually to a panel of judges that includes plastics industry and sustainability leaders. The first-place team will be awarded $5,000, followed by $2,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

“We love this program because it enables our responsible ´óÏó´«Ã½-oriented community to think critically about how to leverage the latest technology like AI for sustainable applications in the corporate context,” says Karen Johns, CEO of Net Impact. “With so much growth around artificial intelligence, this will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn and explore this topic in tangible terms."

Net Impact and Hillenbrand developed the Circular Plastics Challenge concept in 2022 to foster innovation and champion sustainability. The first competition was held in 2023 to engage future leaders in developing ideas to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment. In 2024, finalists presented concepts during a virtual showcase at NPE2024. In the program’s first two years, teams representing dozens of countries around the world have submitted more than 115 proposals.

“Plastics are essential to today’s global economy, and it is important that we continue to advance the material through the entire value chain. As we incorporate AI into this year’s competition, I believe we can unlock new possibilities in advancing plastics circularity,” says Kim Ryan, president and CEO of Hillenbrand. “This partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and Net Impact continues to foster innovation and engage the next generation of the plastics industry.”