The Product or Process Innovation of the Year category celebrates innovation that is driving progress across the adhesives and sealants industry. It recognises new or significantly improved products, processes or technologies that deliver clear benefits – whether through performance, sustainability, efficiency, safety, quality or customer value.

This category is designed to highlight innovation in its broadest sense. Entries may reflect breakthrough developments or practical, incremental improvements that make a real difference in how products are formulated, manufactured, tested or applied.

Who should enter?

This category is open to BASA member organisations including:

• Adhesives and sealants manufacturers
• Raw material suppliers serving the sector
• Companies delivering product innovations, process innovations, or a combination of both

You should consider entering if you have developed a solution that:

• Is new or meaningfully improved compared to existing approaches
• Has demonstrable or emerging benefits in real‑world use
• Addresses industry challenges such as sustainability, performance, compliance, efficiency or application

Innovations at different stages of adoption are welcome — from those already delivering commercial or operational impact to earlier‑stage developments supported by trials or case studies.

What the judges are looking for

Your entry will focus on:

• What the innovation is, and what makes it new or different
• The benefits and impact, supported by evidence where available
• Its relevance to the wider industry, including future potential

Judges are interested not just in technical novelty, but in value — how the innovation improves outcomes for manufacturers, customers or end users, and how it could influence future developments within adhesives and sealants.

How to prepare your entry

Before completing the application, it may help to:

• Clearly define the problem or opportunity the innovation addresses
• Summarise what has changed compared to previous solutions
• Gather evidence such as performance data, efficiency gains, customer feedback or trial results
• Reflect on how the innovation could be applied, scaled or evolved in the future

Entries do not need to represent the largest or most complex innovations. Well‑explained, focused submissions that show clear benefit and industry relevance are strongly encouraged.