WILMINGTON, DE – A DuPont scientist discovered the world’s first fluoropolymer 75 years ago. After all this time, the unique properties of fluoropolymers continue to help innovators across many industries deliver solutions to critical challenges.

DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions (DuPont) announced the Americas regional winners of the DuPont Plunkett Awards, given in recognition of new, cutting-edge applications for DuPont fluoropolymers. The 2013 Plunkett Awards coincide with the 75^th anniversary of the discovery of PTFE by DuPont scientist Dr. Roy Plunkett and reward outstanding technical developments in the field of fluoroplastics.

The Americas-region winners of the most recent competition, which opened last year, include W. L. Gore and Associates Inc., Elkton, MD; Dimension Bond Corp., Chicago; and Maxwell Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA. Winning entries are judged by a panel of regional experts who evaluate the submissions for their degree of innovation, sustainability impact, and breadth of use and commercial significance.

“We encourage innovation by processors or users of fabricated products who have devised new or improved products or applications incorporating DuPont fluoropolymers such as Teflon^®, Tefzel^® and Zonyl^® fluoropolymers, films, finishes and coatings,” said Douglas Hayes, North America Sales Manager, DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions. “The Plunkett Awards recognize new and exciting applications for DuPont fluoropolymers that are on the cutting edge of innovation, sustainability and market applications.”

The winning companies will be honored at an awards presentation dinner in Wilmington, DE, in the spring. Winning entries will be featured at www.plunkett.dupont.com.