HeiQ Materials AG has received the Swiss Technology Award for the development of Oilguard, a nonwoven fabric designed to protect coastal areas and beaches from oil spills. Once applied to the shoreline, the Oilguard material absorbs crude oil whilst simultaneously repelling sea water. The fabric is up to six yards wide and may be several hundred yards long. Presented by the Swiss Innovation Forum, the award honours Switzerland's most innovative companies. HeiQ resisted competition from 85 rival companies to win the Maturity Stage category. According to organisers, the award was presented in recognition of the HeiQ's efforts to manufacture Oilguard - currently the only technology of its kind for preventing oil contamination of coastal areas - in record time.
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