CPI announces call for 2013 Polyurethane Innovation Award entries

“The creativity and resourcefulness of both companies and individuals within our industry is what makes polyurethanes and its downstream products so exceptional,” said Lee Salamone, Senior Director of CPI. “CPI’s annual Polyurethane Innovation Award honors the uniqueness of these visionary technologies, products and initiatives in the global polyurethanes industry as well as the benefits they will bring to both the industry and society.”

Award entries in polyurethane chemistry may include finished products, initiatives, training or education programs, or processes or processing equipment. Entries pertaining to a polyurethane product or polyurethane manufacture must relate to polyurethane chemistry defined as the reaction of an isocyanate with a polyol. Entries must represent new innovations that have not been previously submitted for the Innovation Award and must not have been available for commercial sales longer than 15 months prior to 18 June 2013.

All eligible submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of experts representing technical disciplines and the polyurethane supply chain. Judges will evaluate all entries based on impact on the polyurethanes industry, uniqueness of the innovation, quality of the science, and societal impact. In addition, conference attendees will vote for one of three finalists during the Polyurethanes Technical Conference’s opening session on Monday, 23 September 2013. The judges’ scores will represent 2/3 of the final score, and the conference attendees’ votes will count toward the final 1/3 of the score to determine the 2013 Polyurethane Innovation Award winner.

Finalists will be notified by 25 July 2013 and will receive one complimentary, full registration to the 2013 Polyurethanes Technical Conference. During the opening session of the conference, finalists will give a four-minute presentation on their innovation, which will also be featured during the conference poster sessions. The winner of the 2013 Innovation Award will be announced on Wednesday, 25 September 2013, during the closing session of the conference.

Companies or individuals interested in entering the award program must submit an application no later than 5 p.m. EDT on 18 June 2013. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Details on the award, including an entry form, can be found on CPI’s website.