CLEVELAND, April 25, 2017 - The Lubrizol Corporation's Engineered Polymers business announces the winners of its premiere TPU DesignFEST challenge. Held on April 24, 2017, the competition was conducted in collaboration with the newly chartered Outdoor Product Design & Development (OPDD) Department at Utah State University.
Lubrizol created TPU DesignFEST to help students gain real-world design experience by working in teams to apply creativity and practical research to the design of performance-oriented sports and outdoor recreational applications that incorporate Lubrizol's innovative TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) material solutions including BounCell-X(TM) TPU high performance foams and Estane® TPU TRX for high traction. Student teams competed for cash prizes and public recognition by using these innovative new products at the core of their designs for demanding, high performance applications such as footwear, apparel, sporting goods, outdoor equipment / gear and accessories.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
- 1st Place - Padded sports gloves with enhanced cushioning and wear-resistant grip
- Ryan Anderson
- Nathan Larsen
-
- 2nd Place - Skateboarding shoes with superior impact absorption and abrasion resistance
- Logan Reese
- Tyler Stewardson
-
- 3rd Place - Medical crutches with improved comfort, cushioning and grip
- Russ Jones
- Zach Wootton
-
"We are excited to announce the winners of the initial TPU DesignFEST contest," says Kenneth Kim, global sports and recreation market development manager, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers. "TPU DesignFEST was a great opportunity to challenge students to envision and explore the exciting possibilities for TPU in the next generation of outdoor products, while competing for cash prizes and skill development to enhance their education and future career development.
Lubrizol's innovative TPU technologies, such as BounCell-X(TM) TPU high performance foams and Estane® TPU TRX for high traction, are versatile, high-quality polymer solutions that offer critical-to-quality benefits to a wide-range of applications."
TPU DesignFEST entries were judged by a panel of industry experts who assessed each design on the basis of performance, practicality, aesthetics and sustainability. A special thank you to all the judges who participated in TPU DesignFEST:
- Derek Campbell, Engineering Director - CamelBak® Products, LLC
- Patrick Choe, Vice President, Product Development - Sperry® (Wolverine Worldwide)
- David Grace, Hard Goods Validation Manager - Burton® Snowboards
- Emily Walzer, Editor, Textile Insight - Formula4Media®
- Julie Shlepr, Business Development Director - Lubrizol Engineered Polymers
- Peter Jung, Application Development Scientist - Lubrizol Engineered Polymers
Utah State University's Outdoor Product Design and Development program is the first such four-year bachelors degree of its kind, having been guided by input from industry leaders such as Black Diamond®, Cabelas®, Patagonia® and Northwest River Supplies®. Launched in 2016, the program trains tomorrow's leaders in soft and hard goods, with an emphasis on hands-on learning, internships, and a mix of design, materials and business training.
About Lubrizol Engineered Polymers
Lubrizol Engineered Polymers offers one of the broadest portfolios of engineered polymers available today including resins that are bio-based*, recyclable**, light stable, flame retardant, adhesive, chemically resistant, optically clear and fast cycling. Our technology crosses many industries and applications, including surface protection, power and fluid systems, sports and recreation, wearable devices, electronics and automotive. For more information, visit www.lubrizol.com/engineeredpolymers or contact engineeredpolymers@lubrizol.com.
About The Lubrizol Corporation
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a technology-driven global company that combines complex, specialty chemicals to optimize the quality, performance and value of customers' products while reducing their environmental impact. It produces and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, driveline and other transportation-related fluids, industrial lubricants, as well as additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for home care and personal care products and specialty materials encompassing polymer and coatings technologies, with polymer-based pharmaceutical and medical device solutions. Our products for the oilfield market include technologies for exploration, production and transportation.
With headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, Lubrizol owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2015 were $7 billion. For more information, visit Lubrizol.com.
* Bio-based content as certified in accordance with ASTM D-6866.
** Recyclability is based on access to a readily available standard recycling program that supports such materials. Products may not be recyclable in all areas.
Media Contact
Michael Priola
+1-216-447-5697
Websites:
www.lubrizol.com
www.lubrizol.com/engineeredpolymers
# # #