Online entry is now open for the UTECH Europe Awards 2027, with new categories recognising developments in sustainability, circularity, carbon reduction, energy efficiency and digitalisation across the polyurethane industry.
The awards recognise companies, technologies, initiatives and individuals making significant contributions to the sector, with the winners announced during UTECH Europe 2027, taking place from 20–22 April 2027 at MECC Maastricht, the Netherlands.
The 2027 awards feature eight categories:
• Sustainability & Circularity Initiative
• Carbon Reduction & Energy Efficiency
• Materials Innovation
• Product & Application Innovation
• Machinery & Processing Innovation
• Digitalisation & Smart Manufacturing
• Rising Star
• Polyurethane Ambassador
The new Sustainability & Circularity Initiative category will recognise initiatives that demonstrate practical progress towards more circular polyurethane value chains, including reuse, recycling, lower-impact materials, waste reduction or new business models. The Carbon Reduction & Energy Efficiency category will highlight developments that reduce energy demand, lower emissions or improve resource efficiency in polyurethane production, processing or end-use applications.
Digitalisation & Smart Manufacturing is another new category for 2027, recognising the application of digital technologies, automation, data and connected manufacturing to improve polyurethane production and processing.
Alongside these new categories, the awards continue to recognise advances in materials, products and applications, and machinery and processing technology, reflecting the breadth of innovation taking place across the polyurethane value chain.
The awards will also once again feature the popular individual categories Rising Star and Polyurethane Ambassador.
The Rising Star Award recognises an emerging professional who is making an outstanding contribution to the polyurethane industry and demonstrating potential for future impact.
The Polyurethane Ambassador Award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the polyurethane industry over the course of their career. The winner will also be inducted into the UTECH Europe Hall of Fame.
Evonik is the Platinum Sponsor of the UTECH Europe Awards 2027, supporting the awards programme and its recognition of innovation and achievement within the industry.
“The UTECH Europe Awards 2027 provide an opportunity to recognise the technical developments, practical innovations and individual contributions that are helping to shape the future of the polyurethane industry. The focus of the 2027 categories reflects the biggest challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector,” said Matt Barber, Global Events Director, Crain Communications, organiser of UTECH Europe.
All shortlisted finalists will be featured in a special gallery area on the UTECH Europe exhibition show floor. Winners will be revealed during a ceremony on 21 April, the middle day of UTECH Europe 2027.
Winners will each receive a sleek UTECH Europe Awards ‘Column of Victory’ trophy designed by Better Future Factory. The distinctive trophy’s UTECH ‘U’ logo is 3D printed in thermoplastic polyurethane and its column is 3D printed using recycled PET plastic. The winner’s nameplate is made from recycled acrylic.
The deadline for nominations and entries in all award categories is 1 December 2026. For more information and free online entry, visit: https://www.utecheurope.eu/awards
