LONDON, October 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

ICIS (http://www.icis.com ), the trusted information provider for the global chemical and energy industries, today reveals that AkzoNobel's Marine Coatings business has been chosen as the overall winner in the ICIS Innovation Awards (http://www.icis.com/awards) for 2015.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150511/743802 )

The company's Intersleek 1100SR non-biocidal anti-slime coating for sea-going vessels, part of its International range, was judged the clear winner by the panel of seven leading industry innovation experts. By reducing drag it helps cut fuel usage and environmental emissions, saving ship operators millions of dollars.

The judges commented that AkzoNobel had shown innovation in three areas in the development and commercialisation of the product: in the design and use of a novel rapid, high-throughput screening process; in the chemistry of the fluoro-polymer based coating itself, and in the way it has ensured ship operators qualify for carbon credits when using Intersleek 1100SR.

The Awards, sponsored overall by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants (http://www.rolandberger.com) and with category sponsorship from U.S. Chemicals, LLC (http://www.uschemicals.com) and ExxonMobil Chemical (http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com), recognise outstanding technological and business innovation in the global chemical industry.

The AkzoNobel entry also won the category for Best Product Innovation, sponsored by Roland Berger.

Other winners this year were:

Best Innovation by an SME  

Cella Energy, for a novel technology to store and transport hydrogen

Best Business Innovation  

Enerkem, for development and implementation of a novel nonrecyclable waste to biofuels technology

Innovation with Best Benefit to Environment or Sustainability 

Global Green Products, for its Water-Tek technology to reduced use of fresh water in oil extraction

John Baker, ICIS editor and organiser of the Awards, commented that: "This year's Awards attracted a record entry and led to a very robust discussion as the judges debated the merits of the leading entries. As in previous years, the innovations before the judges showcased a wide range of excellent products and processes, with the potential to make important impacts in their respective markets and reduce environmental impacts.

"All the winners demonstrate not only that innovation is well and truly alive in the chemical industry but that this innovation brings benefits not only to companies and their customers but the environment as well. And it helps the sustainability of the business of chemicals."

Full descriptions of all the winning entries, and interviews with the sponsors, can be found at http://www.icis.com/awards

The winners can be contacted for more information at:

AkzoNobel
David Williams
R&D director marine coatings
Tel: +44-191-4022-458
Email: david.williams@akzonobel.com

Cella Energy
Tapiwa Tutisani
Marketing Coordinator
Tel: +44(0)1235-437-759
Email: tapiwa.tutisani@cellaenergy.com

Enerkem
Annie Pare
Director of communications
Tel: +1-514-875-0284
Email: apare@enerkem.com

Global Green Products
Jeremy Rinehammer
Director of sales
Tel: +1-281-770-7022
Email: jjrinehammer@ggpllc.com

Notes to Editors: 

About ICIS 

ICIS, the trusted information provider for the chemical and energy industries, is part of Reed Business Information (RBI), a division of Reed Business and a member of Reed Elsevier plc (525), (UK:REL) (US:RUK) (NL:45443), the world's leading publisher and information provider. For more information on ICIS visit http://www.icis.com

RBI publishes over 100 market leading publications, directories and online services, and organises many industry conferences and awards. For a full listing visit http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk

For further information contact:
John Baker
Global editor, ICIS
Tel: +44-20-8652-3153
Email: john.baker@icis.com
Web site: http://www.icis.com

About Roland Berger Strategy Consultants 

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, founded in 1967, is the only leading global consultancy of German heritage and European origin. With 2,400 employees working from 36 countries, we have successful operations in all major international markets. Our 50 offices are located in the key global business hubs. The consultancy is an independent partnership owned exclusively by its 220 Partners.

For further information contact:
Neil Checker
Partner, Roland Berger
Tel: +49-211-4389-2237
Email: neil.checker@rolandberger.com
Web site: http://www.rolandberger.com

About U.S. Chemicals, LLC 

U.S. Chemicals, LLC, is a 50-year-old worldwide specialty chemical distributor serving the textiles, paint, flame retardants, plastic, cosmetic, personal care, food and pharmaceutical industries. A woman-owned business based in Darien, Connecticut, US, U.S. Chemicals actively supports environmentally responsible manufacturers and distributors of chemical products and services.

For further information, contact:
Carol Piccaro
President and CEO
U.S. Chemicals, LLC
Tel: +1-203-655-8878
Email: cpiccaro@uschemicals.com
Web site:  http://www.uschemicals.com

About ExxonMobil Chemical 

ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. Our unique portfolio of commodity and specialty businesses generates annual sales of more than 24 million tonnes of prime products.  We have world-scale manufacturing facilities in all major regions, and our products serve as the building blocks for a wide variety of everyday consumer and industrial products.

We process feedstocks from ExxonMobil's Upstream and Downstream operations, supplemented with market sources, to manufacture chemical products for higher-value end uses. We focus on product lines that capitalise on scale and technology advantages, building on our strengths in advantaged feedstocks, lower-cost processes, and premium products. As a result, we have strong positions in the markets we serve.

For further information, contact:
Olivier Lorge
Opportunity Identification Manager
New Product Platforms
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Tel: +1-832-625-3804
Email: olivier.lorge@exxonmobil.com
Web site: http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com

SOURCE ICIS