Award 2004

The 2004 SolVin Award for PVC Innovation

Three Winning applications received, respectively, one Golden Award of 50.000 EUR, one Silver Award of 25.000 EUR and one Bronze Award of 10.000 EUR. The Jury also designated three special prize-winning projects which demonstrated the polyvalence of PVC and have been awarded EUR 5,000. SolVin combines the competences of Solvay and BASF in the European vinyls sector. The synergies achieved in know-how and organization, the complementarities of product ranges as well as upstream integration have built up SolVin as a leader on the PVC and PVDC markets. The joint venture has operations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Benelux countries and a total annual production capacity of 1.3 million tons of PVC, with 2200 employees. Solvay owns 75% of SolVin and BASF, the remaining 25%.

The Winners

The winners of the 2004 SolVin Awards for PVC innovation were announced 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 demonstrated the vigor and inventiveness of the vinyl sector.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:

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

The 108 contestants have tabled a wealth of innovations which can be grouped in the following categories:

  • Competitiveness
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Leisure
  • 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.

[Practical information - Award rules] [Register now - Application form]