RadTech’s Degradable Materials Task Force announced the winners of the 2025 UV+EB Degradability Challenge: Dr. Chen Wang, assistant professor at the University of Utah, and Dr. Travis W. Walker, associate professor at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Both were recognized for innovations that advance degradable material science.

Dr. Wang developed a photocurable polymer that is fully home compostable and soil degradable, offering an alternative to coated packaging films. Dr. Walker’s photopolymerizable anhydride oligomers exhibit controlled degradability in water and are among the first of their kind to remain liquid at room temperature.

Additional honorees include Dan Halkyard of S-One Labels and Packaging and Ahmed Bashir of INX International Inks, Co., both acknowledged for their contributions to sustainable materials development.

Award presentations will be held during RadTech 2025 on May 20 in Detroit.

Learn more: radtech.org/radtech25