The winners of the 2004 SolVin Awards for PVC innovation were announced yesterday in Düsseldorf, revealing technological, environmental and glamorous achievements which impressed the Jury.  The selection was achieved after a painstaking scrutiny of 108 innovative projects tabled by candidates from 14 countries, which demonstrate the vigor and inventiveness of the vinyl sector.

o The Golden Award of EUR 50,000 goes to Nicoll of France for its Manchette Souple, a technologically sophisticated innovation which satisfies a previously unmet market demand: Nicoll has developed corrugated fittings which offer both rigidity and flexibility. They allow effortless connection of vinyl pipes, while upholding a smooth inner surface for a flawless flow.

o The Silver Award of EUR 25,000 goes to Klöckner Pentaplast of Germany for Pentajet, a white matt rigid vinyl film specially developed for laser printing, which renders printed material of exceptional visual quality with unequalled resistance.

o The Bronze Award of EUR 10,000 goes to Alkor and Deceuninck of Belgium for a joint achievement: Bee Bo®, a fully finished profile product range which has managed to reconcile the use of 100% recycled vinyl with brilliant aesthetics.

The Jury has also distinguished four entrants to whom they awarded a special EUR 5,000 prize to highlight their exciting originality:

o Roskoplast of France has created a novel packaging design made from clear, Crystal or colored vinyl films which has been adopted by some of the most glamorous brands of the French luxury industry.

o The United Kingdom’s Omnova Wallcovering has developed Project Magpie, a startling high-tech vinyl lining for walls and ceilings which regulates room temperature thanks to micro encapsulation of active products in the PVC matrix.

o Gilles Ebersolt of France has invented a special, pressurized Mobile Home made from vinyl, which can be put into action to ensure the safety of rescue operations in noxious environments.

o Solvay Draka of the Netherlands has conceived Mistery, an unprecedented surface treatment of calendered vinyl which creates an astonishing 3D holographic effect.

A high resolution image of the 2004 SolVin Awards Ceremony in Düsseldorf can be downloaded here. 

The 108 contestants have tabled a wealth of innovations which can be grouped in the following categories (click on the link to discover all the entries of the 2004 SolVin Awards):
o Competitiveness 
o Environment 
o Health 
o Leisure 
o New Markets 

The Jury included five representative and highly qualified independent experts: Prof. W. Michaeli of the Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung in Aachen; C. Mierop, Director of La Cambre Design School in Brussels (CNAV), Prof. A. Buekens of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel; W. Claes of the European Plastics Converter Association (EuPC) and J. Schoemans representing “Plastics Europe, the European plastics manufacturers association”. In making their decision, they looked at criteria such as contribution to a positive image of PVC, originality, improvements brought to existing products or processes, economic potential, safety and sustainable development.

SolVin, a leader on the PVC and PVDC markets, results from the combination of the competencies of Solvay and BASF. The company covers both large volume markets and highly demanding applications. As a strongly customer-centered company covering the entire vinyl chain, SolVin is constantly seeking to improve the quality and value added of its products and services. www.solvinpvc.com 

For further information please contact :
Richard THOMMERET
Marketing Manager
SolVin SA
Tel.: ++32 2 264 32 61
Fax: ++32 2 264 35 85
E-mail: Richard.thommeret@solvay.com