Maastricht, the Netherlands – New awards to mark the best product innovations, the smartest new people and to honour those who have made a significant impact on the European polyurethane industry were launched at the start of June.
'Now seems the right time to recognise the many and varied achievements of our polyurethane industry in Europe, even more so after the difficulties we have all shared over the past 18 months,' said Debbie Hershfield, UTECH Europe Trade Show Director. 'Our objective is to highlight the success of our leading individuals and rising stars, as well as the teamwork of polyurethane innovators working in all the largest markets for this family of materials.’
The awards organisers said that they plan for least six people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, where they will join Patrick Thomas, former chairman and CEO of Covestro, and John Televantos, senior partner of Arsenal Capital Partners. The recipients will be industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to the polyurethane industry, and have spent at least 25 years in the sector, they said.
The rising star award will go to an individual whom the judges believe has made the greatest contribution to their business, and who has the greatest potential to make a real contribution to the polyurethane industry in years to come.
In addition to the personal awards, product innovation will be celebrated as well with awards for innovation in the following business sectors: automotive; footwear/clothing; cold chain/refrigeration; building/construction; CASE; flexible foam; and rigid foam. There will also be an environmental award and a process improvement award.
The organisers have assembled a panel of judges, including: Michel Baumgartner, secretary general, Europur; Jorg Palmersheim, secretary general, Isopa & Alipa; Per Henning Vaagen, general manager/CEO, Laader Berg; Tony Ryan, technical director for UK & Ireland, Kingspan; Mike Murray, CTO, Vita Group; Ulrich Liman, senior vice president, PU Business Unit, Covestro; and Grayzyna Mitchener, director, Polychemtech.
The deadline for award entries is 1 July 2021. Follow this link for more details about the awards:
