Winners announced at UTECH Europe event 23-25 April 2024
The UTECH Europe Awards 2024, which recognise and celebrate the achievements and innovations of the European polyurethane industry are now open for entry. For 2024 the awards have been extended to eight categories covering every aspect of innovation and success across the polyurethanes industry in Europe. There are two awards recognising individual achievements: Rising Star for emerging industry leaders and Polyurethane Ambassador for making an outstanding long term contribution to the industry. Nominations and entries in all award categories are free of charge.
The award categories are:
• Rising Star Award
• Material Innovation Award
• Polyurethane Ambassador Award
• Machinery Innovation Award
• Machinery Supplier Partnership Award
• Polyurethane Processor Award
• Sustainability Initiative Award
• New Product Award
The finalists for each award category will be revealed in a livestream event in February, with the winners revealed at the triennial UTECH Europe exhibition and conference taking place at the MECC in Maastricht, the Netherlands 23-25 April 2024. All shortlisted finalists will be featured in a special gallery area on the UTECH Europe exhibition show floor and the winners will be revealed in a ceremony on 24 April, the middle day of UTECH Europe.
“After competitive entries and a very warm reception for the UTECH Europe awards in 2021, we are delighted to have broadened their scope for 2024 to cover virtually every aspect and innovation and excellence across the polyurethanes industry in Europe today from new materials and products to sustainability initiatives.” said Matt Barber, Global Events Director, Crain Communications. “I am sure our winners will give pride of place to the magnificent new trophies we have commissioned.”
This year’s winners will each receive a sleek UTECH Europe Awards ‘Column of Victory’ trophy designed by Better Future Factory. The distinctive trophy’s UTECH ‘U’ logo is 3D printed in thermoplastic polyurethane and its column is 3D printed using recycled PET plastic. The winner’s nameplate is made from recycled acrylic.
The winner of the Polyurethane Ambassador award will also be inducted into the UTECH Europe Hall of Fame, which recognises leaders who have made a significant contribution to the polyurethane industry. Previous inductees include Marco Volpato, CEO of Cannon Group; Grazyna Mitchener, Director, Polychemtech; Tony Hankins, CEO Asia Pacific & Division President, Polyurethanes, Huntsman; Olivier Chapelle, CEO, Recticel and Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan. Nominations are welcomed from all parts of the industry.
The distinguished panel of judges for the UTECH Europe Awards 2024 is chaired by James Snodgrass, editor of Urethanes Technology International and comprises Michel Baumgartner, Secretary General, Europur; Jörg Palmersheim, Secretary General, Isopa & Alipa; Ulrich Liman, Senior Vice President, PU Business Unit, Covestro; Per Henning Vaagen, General Manager/CEO, Laader Berg; Tony Ryan, Technical Director – UK & Ireland, Kingspan Ltd; Mike Murray, CTO, Vita Group; Grayzyna Mitchener, Director, Polychemtech and Simon Robinson, former editor of Urethanes Technology International.
The deadline for nominations and entries in all award categories is 1 December 2023. For more information and free online entry visit: https://www.utecheurope.eu/awards
UTECH Europe is uniquely placed as the foremost international exhibition and conference for the global polyurethanes industry and typically attracts visitors from over 80 countries around the world. Unique to Europe is the growing breadth of the applications of polyurethanes technology from automotive interiors, medical devices, textiles, furniture and footwear through to insulation, adhesives, paints and coatings. In 2024 UTECH Europe will for the first time be co-located with Sleep Expo Europe, the show for the mattress and bedding industry.
Upcoming UTECH Events Calendar
UTECH Europe 2024, MECC, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 23-25 April 2024 https://www.utecheurope.eu
PU China, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre, 17-19 July 2024 https://www.puchina.eu
UTECH Middle East Foam & Polyurethane Expo, DWTC, Dubai, 10-12 September 2024 www.mefpu.com
UTECH Southeast Asia, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 13-14 November 2024 www.utechseasia.com
UTECH Las Americas, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, Mexico, 3-5 June 2025 www.utechlasamericas.com