The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced Demilec (USA) Inc. as the winner of the 2018 Polyurethane Innovation Award. Demilec’s winning entry, one of three finalists, was announced during the closing session of the 2018 Polyurethanes Technical Conference in Atlanta.

“CPI’s Innovation Award is a top honor in the polyurethanes industry,” said Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI. “Demilec embodies the spirit of innovation and pioneering that will help our industry flourish for years to come. Demilec, together with the rest of this year’s conference attendees, is helping to pave the way for a bright future.”

Demilec’s winning entry is Heatlok HFO, which the company describes as delivering a zero ODP, ultra-low GWP and high renewable/recyclable closed-cell foam for the insulation industry. This year’s winner stated that Heatlok HFO High Lift, with its R-7.5/inch, provides breakthrough alternatives for the residential builder and Heatlok HFO Pro, at R-7.4/inch, creates an air barrier, vapor retarder, water barrier and thermal insulation at 1 inch, ideal for commercial buildings.

“Demilec is honored to receive CPI’s innovation award for 2018, and we are excited Heatlok HFO has continued to redefine the standard of excellence in the closed-cell spray foam industry,” said Doug Brady, vice president of strategic marketing. “Thank you to the American Chemistry Council, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry, the nominating committee and everyone who voted for Demilec.”

This year’s Polyurethane Innovation Award finalists also included ICL-IP America Inc., for their VeriQuel R100, which the company describes as a phosphorus-based, reactive flame retardant that uniquely addresses the building and construction market’s desire for chemistries that provide fire safety and eliminate exposures during product use. ICL-IP states that VeriQuel R100 leaves no foot print and helps alleviate concerns about exposure to people and potential harm to the environment. SWD Urethane was named a finalist for Quik-Shield 108YM, the “Yield Monster,” which the company explains is an ultra-low-density open-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation product, which is the first 0.36 pcf density spray foam and provides up to 39 percent more yield.

“Each year, the CPI Innovation Award finalists shine a spotlight on our industry-wide goal of creating new products and technologies that benefit consumers around the world,” Salamone said. “I am always inspired by how hard the members of the polyurethanes industry work to improve upon decades of achievements.”

The 2018 Polyurethanes Technical Conference also featured 15 technical sessions, 22 posters, 78 papers and 55 exhibitors, as well as the Professional Development Program.