The Dow Chemical Company’s Alex Knott has been chosen as the recipient of the R. Stanton Avery Pioneer Award for the 2018 Label Industry Global Awards.

Sponsored by Avery Dennison, the R. Stanton Avery Pioneer Award honors the contribution an individual has made which has really impacted the label and package printing sector, whether their pioneering work has spanned years or decades.

Knott is a senior scientist in the company and leader of a global team that has pioneered the latest innovations in pressure-sensitive silicone release liner coating technology, including the introduction of Dow’s Flat Release Systems. This technology has not only revolutionized high speed, low coating weight, high performance and labelstock release liner production, but has also been a key factor in helping to drive down silicone coating costs.

Knott started his career as a development chemist in 1987 in the pressure-sensitive industry at Dow Corning, today a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. Since then he has held application engineering, technical leadership and senior scientist roles within this industry, and today has a solid global reputation as an authority on silicone pressure-sensitive systems.

Mike Fairley, chair of the judging committee, says: “As the highest accolade within the label and package printing industry, the quality of entries to the Label Industry Global Awards is always extremely high and drawing up the finalists is no easy process. However, the judging panel felt that Alex Knott was the standout choice for this year’s R. Stanton Avery Pioneer Award, with multiple recommendations from around the world.

“Alex is undoubtedly one of the most recognized global experts in silicone-based paper release coating technology, with exceptional in-depth knowledge of silicone coatings right through to the most advanced solventless systems. During his time at Dow, silicone coat weights have reduced from around two microns to one micron or less, platinum levels have reduced from 100 ppm to 50 ppm or less, whilst at the same time coating speeds have risen from around 80 meters a minute up to 1,000 meters a minute or more.

“For the label converter and end-user, such innovations have contributed to superior waste stripping performance at ever-increasing press running speeds, as well as enabling much higher label application line speeds on the latest automated product decoration systems. The judges were unanimous in selecting Alex as the recipient of the R. Stanton Avery Pioneer Award 2018.”

All winners and official presentations of the prizes will be announced during Labelexpo Americas in Rosemont, Illinois, this September.