Outstanding applications of polycarbonate panels were in the spotlight at the annual EPSE awards ceremony sponsored by the Belgium-based European Polycarbonate Sheet Extruders (EPSE, Brussels; www.epse.org). The 17 October event at K 2013 in Düsseldorf drew lots of curious onlookers. Serving on the awards jury – which included Plasteurope.com's editor-in-chief – were numerous artists as well as renowned plastics experts with Jean-Philippe Coste, president of EPSE, presenting the winners of the sixth edition of the competition.

In the "Innovation" category, Sabic took home top honours for its impressive use of BIPV panels in the construction of the Grotte de Salamandre, located in France. Second place went to DS Smith Plastics for an innovative project, the Rhizomatic Gateway, involving ten teams of 50 students from several countries who met in Epinal / France to create innovative piers made of PC along the Mosel River in June.

In the "Sustainability" category, Protoshop Lamborghini, one of the first multi-story buildings in Italy certified "Class A" for low energy consumption, garnered Dott.Callina the coveted EPSE trophy. The runner-up in the category recognising particular sustainability with the use of PC components was given to Bayer MaterialScience for its "Dome of Visions" mobile greenhouse.

Offering a fresh and dynamic style in its design of a student dormitory in Barcelona / Spain, DS Smith Plastics took top honours in the "Design" category, with polycarbonate sheets used in a unique internal design incorporating them in the cafeteria and common rooms, where they were used as coating for columns, giving the space a sophisticated feel. When back-lit, they allowed for the creation of several environments. Counters and ceilings were also coated with PC sheets, giving a homogenous look with a minimalist and innovative design. A new commercial centre in Seoul / South Korea, the Amway Plaza, which utilises prism breaks and LED light beams as part of its colourful concept, helped make Plazit Polygal a winner as it took home the second-place award in this category.

The proud winners of the competition each received an impressive, colourfully glowing sculpture – naturally made of polycarbonate – designed by Italian artist Davide Dall’ Osso (www.davidedallosso.it). A total of 16 innovative buildings and designs utilising polycarbonate or consisting primarily of PC were nominated for the awards. Nominees included Brazil's national stadium being built for the upcoming 2014 World Cup in football and utilising 110 t of polycarbonate sheets with Bayer MaterialScience providing "Makrolon" for use in the double-leaf suspended roof.

e-Service:
"EPSE Awards" brochure as PDF