INNOVATIVE companies, which share INOVYN’s vision of continuous product improvement and sustainable development, showed what the industry had to offer late last year.
And those deemed the best walked away with the honours.
The occasion was the first-ever INOVYN Awards for Innovation with Vinyls.
“PVC is often perceived to be a mature product, but the reality is that our industry continues with a strong tradition of innovation,” said Chris Tane, CEO of INOVYN, Europe’s leading producer of vinyls. “It is the lifeblood of our industry.”
PVC may have been around since the 1930s, but it is constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing world. Over the past 10 years alone, about 70,000 PVC-related patents have been registered – and the annual trend is upwards.
INOVYN had invited manufacturers, distributors, architects, designers, students and academic and research organisations from around the world to compete for a top accolade at the inaugural event.
The response was overwhelming. In all organisations from 17 countries across five continents submitted 72 projects to be considered for awards for either innovation, sustainability or industrial design. “The level and the quality clearly showed that innovation is as vigorous as ever in our industry,” said Chris.
After a difficult decision by the five independent judges, Chemson Pacific Pty Ltd from Australia won the award for innovation with its 3D-vinyl for advanced industrial 3D printing.
“It was a real honour to be recognised by INOVYN for our contribution to PVC,” said Greg Harrison, Managing Director of Chemson.
Winner of the sustainability award was UK-based Axion Consulting for a scheme that recycles PVC used in the healthcare industry.
And Swedish company Bolon AB won the industrial design category for its interactive design tool, which allows people to customise their own woven vinyl flooring design.
Chris said the global vinyls industry was acutely aware of the need to produce sustainable products.
“It’s absolutely critical to the continued success of the industry,” he said
The next awards will be held in 2019.