OMNOVA Solutions has announced its 2009 Technology Award recipients. The annual award program recognizes exemplary technology-based contributions by associates in OMNOVA’s research and development, sales and marketing, technical service, operations, product management, and LEAN SixSigma organizations.

FAIRLAWN, OH – OMNOVA Solutions has announced its 2009 Technology Award recipients. The annual award program recognizes exemplary technology-based contributions by associates in OMNOVA’s research and development, sales and marketing, technical service, operations, product management, and LEAN SixSigma organizations.

Recipients come from across OMNOVA’s global operations, including its Performance Chemicals and Decorative Products facilities.

Recognized for RECORE® recycled wall technology are Ronnie Bell, Rob Moore, Otis Allen, Reba Ingram and Tony Warrington, all of Columbus, MS. When OMNOVA introduced its RECORE recycled wall technology, it was an industry first, with the highest content of recycled material. Wall coverings with RECORE technology contain 30 percent recycled content and have been certified to contain a minimum 20 percent post-consumer recycled content. The team from OMNOVA’s Columbus, MS, facility worked with plant associates and outside suppliers to fully integrate this innovation into its processes. Today, OMNOVA’s most popular wall covering brands, including Bolta®, Essex™, Genon® and Tower®, as well as viewnique™ digital wall murals, utilize RECORE recycled wall technology.

Recognized for the GenCryl Pt® 9457 high-performance paper latex are Pam Arndorfer (Green Bay, WI), Brian Doucet (Mogadore, OH), Michael Flickinger (Akron, OH), Joy Untch (Mogadore, OH), Bill Verhasselt (Green Bay, WI) and John Westerman (Akron, OH). Building on OMNOVA’s GenCryl Pt paper latex technology platform, this cross-functional team, along with associates from the company’s Mogadore, OH, pilot plant and Green Bay, WI, facility, developed a high-performance latex with enhanced paper-printing attributes. GenCryl Pt 9457 latex is currently being utilized at several printing mills across the United States.

Recognized for the Mor-Shine® G-31.5 environmentally preferred floor polish formulation are Jamey Gaston, Bill Beers and Russ Craig of Chester, SC. Also recognized are Don Kim, of Akron, OH, and Suzanne Hurrey of Fitchburg, MA. This team led OMNOVA’s floor-care specialty-chemicals group in the commercialization of Mor-Shine G-31.5 floor polish formulation. This formulation has been qualified under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment program for containing ingredients with more positive environmental characteristics than conventional floor polishes. It is also California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2010 compliant for low-VOC emissions. Building on OMNOVA’s core technical competencies in commercial and industrial floor-care products, Mor-Shine G-31.5 utilizes two innovative and proprietary components, NM® 128 floor-care polymer and PolyFox™ PF-2002 fluorosurfactant, to deliver the performance desired by the end user, as well as a strong environmental profile.

Recognized for paper laminates performance coating development are Milton Johnson, Nick Gusler, Bill Guillot and Ron Collette, all of Monroe, NC. This team worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop a new coating for OMNOVA’s paper laminates. Following extensive research and development that was supported by the company’s strong LEAN SixSigma process improvement approach, the coating was fully integrated into the Monroe, NC, facility’s manufacturing processes. The coating delivers excellent functional attributes while improving plant productivity.

Recognized for their work with inflatable medical mattress films are Sunil Deoras and Tim Polaski, of Jeannette, PA, and Roxanne Smith of Fairlawn, OH. This cross-functional team recognized an opportunity for OMNOVA to increase its participation in the medical-products market with vinyl films for use in inflatable-mattress applications. Mattresses for this particular application are selectively inflated with air to reduce the potential for bed sores, providing relief to patients. Working in close collaboration with a customer, the team developed a product to meet the strict specifications for products used in patient-care facilities, as well as those mandated by federal regulations.

Recognized for their work with a bio-based copolymer for oil and gas drilling fluids are Lulu Alborno (Chester, SC), Dan Bode (Field Sales), Dan Hagerty (Mogadore, OH), Doug Harper (Chester, SC), Tim Saddow (Chester, SC) and Rita Vickerman (Mogadore, OH). This team worked to leverage one of OMNOVA’s environmentally preferred paper latex product platforms for use in oil and gas drilling applications. In collaboration with customers, OMNOVA successfully developed and commercialized a revolutionary new copolymer for use in drilling muds. This chemistry is gaining broad acceptance in the market through its performance features and strong environmental profile.

Recognized for their work with a bio-based copolymer manufacturing process are Jim Vaughn, Brian Doucet, Heather Hackenbracht and Rachel Blei, all of Mogadore, OH. Also recognized was Glen Pellett, Chester, SC. This cross-functional team successfully enabled OMNOVA to develop and commercialize unique, environmentally preferred copolymers for release coatings and other specialty-chemical markets. Development took place at OMNOVA facilities in Mogadore, OH, and Calhoun, GA. The team overcame a number of hurdles through strong collaboration and data analysis.

Recognized for their work in automotive seating in the Asia market are Frank Chen, Jiang Bin, Sam Zhang, Jiming Sun, Henry Hong, Titan Tian, Lily Liu, Grace Chen and Coco Zhang, all from Shanghai, China. In close collaboration with the customer and external partners, OMNOVA’s Decorative Products China team developed an innovative leather upholstery with a unique textile backing for automotive interior applications. This required adherence to the customer’s detailed specifications, as well as enhancements to OMNOVA’s manufacturing processes. The new upholstery product was utilized in three models for a major automaker at the end of 2009 with additional business expected in 2010.