Talk about fantastic plastic! US toy giant Mattel has announced the return of Disney princesses after winning back the rights to make dolls based on the entertainment giant’s films. Mattel was the victor in the latest bidding war after losing out to compatriot competitor Hasbro seven years ago, and the company plans to begin selling Elsa, Jasmine and Aladdin dolls and merchandise in 2023.

The toymaker's current headline doll brand, Barbie, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, and the popularity of the Disney crew is expected to further boost profits; Mattel’s share price surged 11% on the news.

And it's all thanks to plastics: Barbie and her cohorts are made of EVA, PVC, ABS and polypropylene.