The Innovation of the Year Award recognizes a company providing new technology, product, or service that has been shown to demonstrably reduce production costs, increase productivity, improve product quality or in some other way provide a bottom-line benefit to APA members.
Each fall, entries submitted by EWTA members are posted for review on the EWTA website, featured in the Autumn Engineered Wood Journal, and web-based ballots are sent to all APA mill managers and executives for voting.
Ballots have been sent to APA members, and the winners will be announced Monday, September 30, 2024 at APA Annual Meeting Chairman's Dinner.
There are seven entries for the 2024 Innovation of the Year. Check out this year's Innovations.
View > 2024 Innovation of the Year Entries
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Entry A
ARGUS Smart-Connected Technologies
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Entry B
Nicholson MLX (3D printed) Debarking Tips
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Entry C
Compact Lay-up Line
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Entry D
A water-based MDI suspension
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Entry E
Green Veneer Squeezer Press
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Entry F
KP-14 Vapor Permeable
Barrier Coat
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Entry G
Stainable Patch: A bio-inspired
polymeric wood repair solution
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“Creativity and value-driven innovation have always been Willamette Valley Company’s guiding principles, and we are thrilled and honored to receive the Innovation of the Year Award 2023 from the APA/EWTA! A huge thank you to the industry members who voted to support us. This recognition is a testament to our team's dedication and hard work. We are grateful for your support and excited to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation together!”
-The Willamette Valley Company, 2023 IOY Award Winner
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2023 Innovation of the Year Winner:
Engineered Wax Emulsion for Wood Composites
Entered By: The Willamette Valley Company
Date of First Use: 2/24/2022 (Field Use); 3/3/2023 (Commercialized)
Benefit 1: pMDI reduction while maintaining panel properties; pMDI volatility suppression
Benefit 2: Wax volatility suppression; thereby reducing condensible wax deposits around hot press and in ventilation - Reduced Fire hazards.
Results:
≥10% reduction in pMDI while maintaining panel performance; About 50 °F reduction in wax volatility
 Description:
The WVCO Engineered Wax Emulsion enhances two key industry interests: Safety and Cost. The Engineered Wax combines bio-polymer and wax chemistries in a patented process to achieve novel wax properties. This emulsion is designed to be inline mixed, and co-applied with, pMDI during wood composite production, allowing significant pMDI reduction (>10%). Furthermore, wax volatility is suppressed (i.e., flash point increased ~50°F), thereby reducing wax deposition outside press, reducing fire hazards.
View > Innovation of the Year Winners: 2016 - 2023
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