Awards to recognise fluoropolymer applications

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 18, 2003

The 2003 DuPont Plunkett Awards recognise the achievements of processors or users of fabricated products who have devised new or improved products or applications incorporating DuPont fluoropolymers.

DuPont has issued a call for entries for the 2003 DuPont Plunkett Awards, which recognise the achievements of processors or users of fabricated products who have devised new or improved products or applications incorporating DuPont fluoropolymers as a critical component.

DuPont fluoropolymer materials include DuPont Teflon, DuPont Tefzel and DuPont Zoynl, available as films, fibres, finishes, coatings, resins and fluoroadditives.

Products or applications must be the result of work done by the entrant in the conception and commercialisation of the entry.

Entries for the Plunkett Awards competition will be accepted from three regions: the Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia Pacific.

There will be up to nine winning entries selected globally.

Entries may be submitted by representatives of a company or by independent professionals who, working alone or as a team, are primarily responsible for the development of a new product or application.

The competition encourages joint entries representing the work of several companies.

Products and applications must have been in commercial service no more than five years prior to 1st July 1998.

"DuPont is a science company that makes the materials allowing people to invent, imagine and improve", said Cindy Green, Global Business Director for DuPont Fluoropolymers.

"We want to reward the science behind an individual's creative vision and celebrate their ingenuity in the use of DuPont fluoropolymer materials".

Entries will be evaluated using three criteria: the novelty of the product or application; its current use and whether it can create opportunities for additional new uses in current or additional markets; and its commercial significance, including demonstrable benefits and its ability to satisfy important or unmet needs.

Entrants are encouraged to consider whether their applications offer important benefits such as increased safety, assured quality, improved reliability, lower cost, lower energy consumption or environmental protection.

Anyone interested in entering the competition can download an entry form at www.Plunkett.Teflon.com.

First-prize winners in each region will receive $5000 in cash, a crystal sculpture and a trip with a guest to Charleston, SC, USA, for the awards ceremony.

Second- and third-prize winners will receive $3000 and $1500, respectively, plus a plaque for the entrant's company or organisation and a trip with guest to the awards ceremony.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of industry experts representing academia, the plastics industry, industry associations and the industry trade press.

All entries must involve the use of DuPont fluoropolymers.

Entries must be completed in English and received by Monday 1st December 2003.