The Institute is one of the core partners in the design exchange of the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). This is funded by Government through the Technology Strategy Board, forging a link between designers and other sectors of the KTN concerned with metals, plastics, textiles and the full range of modern materials.

Membership of the Design Exchange is free and gives members assistance with project development, workshops and seminars, publications and networking opportunities.

MADE magazine brings together designers and materials experts to provide ideas, inspiration and innovation across the full spectrum of design - industrial design, architecture, consumer products and fashion. MADE is published three times a year and is available free for members of the design exchange.

The Design Innovations in Plastics competition is the longest-running student plastics design competition in Europe. The competition runs every other year and is co-organised by IOM3 and the Worshipful Company of Horners, an ancient City Livery Company that has forged strong links with the plastics industry.

Both IOM3 and the Worshipful Company of Horners play important roles in the field of education, and this award was set up to encourage plastics design innovation and best practice in our future product designers.

The Starpack Awards for innovation in packaging focus on encouraging packaging designs which make best use of materials developments.