FAIRLAWN, OH – OMNOVA Solutions announced its 2010 Technology Award recipients. This annual award program recognizes exemplary technological contributions by associates in OMNOVA's research and development, sales and marketing, technical service, operations, product management, LEAN SixSigma, and strategic sourcing organizations.

These technological innovations in new product development and process improvements are positively impacting customers in virtually all of OMNOVA's markets, including performance chemicals for paper, carpet and coatings applications, as well as recycled films used for commercial and industrial end uses, laminates for the healthcare market, and specialty commercial wallcoverings.

An innovation team based in Akron, OH, developed an enhanced precoat binding system for the paper market that meets stringent mill operation requirements. The new emulsion polymer draws from OMNOVA's robust cross-market portfolio of paper and specialty chemicals. The new product provides improved binding strength while retaining key performance attributes of earlier technologies.

A team with members from Villejust, France, and Le Havre, France, developed OMNOVA's Hydro Pliolite 010 resin for water-based masonry paint sold into the European market. This novel chemistry achieves the adhesion qualities specified by paint producers, while also meeting stringent European environmental guidelines. In addition to formulation work, the team successfully opened a new production unit in Le Havre, which provides advanced processing capabilities for Hydro Pliolite products.

Mike Easterling, Auburn, PA, and Jim Chapman, Field Sales, successfully converted a customer's portfolio of vinyl laminates to a non-PVC construction to support the needs of the healthcare market. Working with OMNOVA's Auburn, PA, team, the pair simultaneously co-developed the non-PVC construction while also implementing a PVC-free ink system for the laminate printing process. This is exemplary of OMNOVA's expanding portfolio and capabilities to serve the needs of the growing global healthcare market.

A cross-functional team from Mogadore, OH, and Calhoun, GA, developed OMNOVA's environmentally preferred NovaGreen™ 7510 latex for carpet backing, which can be used in customer binding systems to reduce energy usage during production. The product's high wet strength enables the finished carpet to withstand significant regular cleanings in commercial and residential environments.

A team based in Jeannette, PA, designed processes and installed equipment that enables OMNOVA's Decorative Products facility in Jeannette to recycle unused PVC back into production. These actions decrease the amount of scrap sent to landfills, reduce the need for virgin raw materials and eliminate the need for outsourcing the granulation and blending processes.

Working closely with a customer, a team from Akron, OH, developed an emulsion polymer for cold storage produce boxes. The full capabilities of OMNOVA's Pilot Paper Coater were utilized to trial a variety of formulations and to mimic the customer's coating processes. The final product meets all customer specifications and does not inhibit recycling at the end of the box's useful life.

A team with members from Green Bay, WI, and Fairlawn, Akron and Mogodore, OH, developed a latex paper coating that required reduced odor and high strength properties for use in a non-traditional printing process. This cross-functional team worked quickly to deliver a solution that not only meets specifications but provides additional benefits to the customer's manufacturing processes.

A team from Columbus, MS, further enhanced OMNOVA's leadership position and core competencies by developing a unique specialty construction for the commercial wallcovering market. The product meets strict color, surface tension, defect and packaging requirements. Work on this innovation included rigorous product development and testing, as well as the implementation of new systems.