The gala event at which the awards of the Polish Product of the Future competition, 19th edition, were presented took place on 30 November 2016 in Warsaw. It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development and Finance Mateusz Morawiecki who wished Polish entrepreneurs innovative products which ventured into the future and emphasised the significance of the Polish Product of the Future competition for the development of strong economy which is a synonym for strong Poland.
Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. Chairman of the Board Mateusz Gramza and ICSO Director Andrzej Krueger received the diploma. The awards were given by PARP President Patrycja Klarecka who recognised the determination and effort of the teams working on the projects which had been honoured. She acknowledged the cooperation of the world of science and industry and the willingness to take an investment risk.
Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development and Finance, wished Polish entrepreneurs innovative products
The technology will allow Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. to introduce new polymer plasticizers into its offer. It will have a direct effect on the bioproduct range as it uses biorenewable succinic acid. Its use will enhance the greening of the products. The Group will be a pioneer in the field of using bio-succinic acid to manufacture bioplasticizers. ‘It is an innovative product solution on an international scale’, says Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. Management Board President Mateusz Gramza. ‘The numerous advantages of the new plasticizers include beneficial functional properties such as lower migration, much lower volatility and a good effect on the strength characteristics of plastics. Furthermore, the manufacture we plan with renewable bio-succinic acid entails environmental benefits’.
Besides, the process innovation fits in environmental protection owing to the reduced number of technological operations resulting in lower energy and water consumption, elimination of high-boiling esters and a more efficient system for the precipitation of organic compounds (alcohols).
The technology will allow consumers to increase using plasticizers made by Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. in speciality applications, particularly, in what is known as sensitive segments of medical products, toys for children below 3 years of age and food packaging, with the adaptation to current market and EU requirements for cleanliness, quality and safety of use.
The awards were given by Patrycja Klarecka, PARP President to Mateusz Gramza, Chairman of the Board, Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. and Andrzej Krueger, ICSO Director
The National Centre of Research and Development (Polish Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju, or NCBiR) has already granted to Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. funding for the project to develop the technology of manufacturing speciality esters in the PILOT LINES competition under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020. The Group will carry out a series of advanced development works which will deliver a wide range of low-molecular non-phthalate plasticizers and innovative polyester plasticizers. The technology of manufacturing speciality esters with Oxo-alcohols was developed in cooperation with the Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis “Blachownia”.
Photos by PARP