ORLANDO (October 9, 2019) – The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced Carbon’s DLS™ Technology, used in the Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond Football Helmet Liner, as the winner of the 2019 Polyurethane Innovation Award. The Innovation Award is renowned throughout the polyurethane industry and recognizes the most inventive commercial technologies over the past 12 months.
“Congratulations to Carbon on this recognition and achievement,” said Lee Salamone, Senior Director, CPI. “This exciting new technology drives our industry forward by delivering an innovative product to consumers that will improve their quality of life. CPI is proud to honor Carbon on behalf of their visionary and groundbreaking achievement.”
Carbon describes their winning entry as:
Carbon and Riddell partnered to produce the first-ever, digitally printed liner for the SpeedFlex Precision Diamond football helmet. To make this groundbreaking product, Carbon used athlete data Riddell gathered in their proprietary database of 5 million head impacts to create next-gen head protection. The resulting Diamond helmet liner is printed to be precisely contoured to the athlete’s head. Using Carbon’s pioneering DLS™ technology, the liner was created using light and oxygen, and incorporates intricate, custom lattice structures with custom energy absorbing materials also developed by Carbon. Carbon and Riddell’s partnership and innovation will help keep our young athletes safe.
“Carbon is honored to receive CPI’s 2019 innovation award for our dual-cure polyurethane material used in Riddell's SpeedFlex Precision Diamond helmet," said Jason Rolland, Senior Vice President of Materials at Carbon. “We are really proud that our unique materials are enabling some of the world's most iconic brands such as Riddell to create next-gen products that are improving human performance and well-being.”
This year, Dow AQUACHILL™ Cool Coating for Comfier Bedding was also an Innovation Award Finalist for their entry, which they described as:
AQUACHILL™, a water-based phase change material (PCM) coating, maximizes initial and sustained cooling while providing breathability, optimal durability, best-in-class adhesion and minimal odor. Unlike traditional solvent-based coatings, AQUACHILL™ maintains its cooling power beyond the initial point-of-sale without expelling a significant odor, providing additional value to the end-consumer for a good night’s rest.
The two finalists presented their products at the Polyurethanes Technical Conference in Orlando, and the winning entry was decided by a vote of the nearly 1,000 professionals in attendance.
In addition to the 2019 Polyurethane Innovation Award, the 2019 Polyurethanes Technical Conference also featured the Distinguished Leadership Awards, 15 technical sessions, 16 posters, 74 presentations and 62 exhibitors, as well as the Professional Development Program.