Applications for the 2023 Polyurethane Innovation Award are now being accepted through June 19. This award is presented by the American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry and is widely considered the industry’s top technical honor. The award recognizes companies and individuals whose determination and vision bring to market innovative, life-enhancing products, technologies and initiatives.

“This year marks the 65th year of this conference and we look forward to continuing the tradition of recognizing the polyurethane industry’s top trailblazers,” said Lee Salamone, senior director at CPI. “Polyurethanes continue to be one of the most versatile chemistries helping to solve today’s challenges, and the Innovation Award acknowledges individuals who are driving the polyurethane industry forward with their hard work and determination.”

The recipient of the 2022 Polyurethane Innovation Award was Carbon, who received it for its EPU 44 technology. As described by Carbon, EPU 44 is a 40 percent bio-based production-grade elastomeric 3D printing resin, especially well-suited for lattices where high resiliency is needed. It has superior latticing performance, prints faster, uses less material and has higher green strength, which protects delicate designs.

Entries for the 2023 Innovation Award are required to represent new innovations that have not been previously submitted for the Innovation Award. Eligible innovations include finished products, chemistries, initiatives, training or education programs, processes and processing equipment that have entered the market for the first time between June 18, 2021, and June 19, 2023. Companies or individuals must submit an application no later than 5 p.m. EDT on June 19. To view entry requirements and apply for the Polyurethane Innovation Award, see the Innovation Award submission form. CPI will present the Innovation Award at the conclusion of the 2023 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, taking place at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio on Sept. 25-27.