MERSEYBIO COMPANIES SHORTLISTED FOR CHEMICALS NORTHWEST AWARD
Hydra Polymers & IOTA NanoSolutions Shortlisted for Innovation Award

Hydra Polymers & IOTA NanoSolutions Shortlisted for Innovation Award MerseyBIO-based Hydra Polymers Ltd. and IOTA NanoSolutions Ltd. have both been selected as finalists in the Chemicals Northwest Annual Awards 2010, in the category of Innovation. The award acknowledges the design and implementation of a new product or process that enables increased process efficiency and delivers demonstrable business benefits.

The Hydra technology is used to create branched polymeric structures which allow customers to develop innovative and creative formulations, whilst reducing the need for solvents and enabling greater processing
efficiency. Polymers are used in a wide variety of everyday applications, from paints to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

IOTA’s novel proprietary technology ContraSol™ allows the transformation of insoluble materials into dry solid formats that rapidly form nanodispersions on contact with liquids. IOTA are actively exploiting the
technology in collaboration with companies in many market sectors including nutraceuticals, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, foods, consumer/household products, cosmetics, inks and coatings.

The Chemicals Northwest Awards 2010 will showcase the region’s world-class chemical companies and fly the flag for industry in the UK. The event will take place at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on the evening
of Thursday 20th May and is expected to attract over 270 delegates from across industry, academia and support services.

The 2010 Award Categories are:

• Innovation - Product or Process
• Sustainable Manufacturing
• Environmental Technology for the Chemical Industry (sponsored by Envirolink Northwest)
• Investor Training (sponsored by Cogent and the National Skills Academy for Process Industries)
• Corporate Social Responsibility (sponsored by Hammonds)
• International Trade (sponsored by UKTI)
• Service Provider (sponsored by Business Link NW)
• Young Achiever in the NW Chemical Sector (sponsored by the Make It Campaign)
• Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year