OMNOVA Solutions Recognizes Employee Innovations With 2005 Technology Awards

FAIRLAWN, Ohio, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OMNOVA Solutions today announced the recipients of its 2005 Technology Awards. This annual award program recognizes exemplary technology-based contributions by associates in OMNOVA's research and development, sales and marketing, technical service, operations, and product management organizations.

Technology innovations support activities in a number of OMNOVA's end use markets, including paper, functional coatings, commercial roofing, interior construction and commercial wallcovering.

Recipients hail from across OMNOVA Solutions, including its Building Products business segment facilities in Maumee, Ohio and Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Performance Chemicals business segment facilities in Akron, Ohio and Chester, South Carolina; and Decorative Products business segment facilities in Fairlawn, Ohio, Columbus, Mississippi and Jeannette, Pennsylvania.

"Our broad and innovative technology capabilities are what set OMNOVA Solutions apart across our served markets," said Kevin McMullen, OMNOVA Solutions' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This year's award recipients exemplify OMNOVA's focus on technologies that provide unique value propositions to our customers and result in profitable growth for our company."

Innovation titles, summaries and recipients are as follows: Sunkote(R) 458 Paper Lubricant Formulation Eugene Reagan - Chester, South Carolina Larry N. Johnson, Jr. - Chester, South Carolina Michael J. Yanutola - Chester, South Carolina Through expansion of OMNOVA's base technology for chemicals used in the making of paper, this team fully developed and commercialized a new high performance paper lubricant with improved flow characteristics. GenGlaze(R) EC-2447 High Performance In-Mold Coating Mina Garcia - Akron, Ohio Technology Center David Sizer - Akron, Ohio Technology Center Brian J. Sullivan - Akron, Ohio Technology Center Expanding one of OMNOVA's core competencies, this team developed a novel in-mold coating that features superior flow and improved adhesion. GenGlaze(R) EC-2447 in-mold coating can adhere to a number of different substrates used in the production of fiberglass parts for the heavy truck and marine industries. Novel TPO Roofing Membrane Formulation Mike Hubbard - Maumee, Ohio Steve Opheim - Muscle Shoals, Alabama Tim McQuillen - Maumee, Ohio Jim Burkett - Maumee, Ohio This team developed a unique roofing membrane formulation that allows for more consistent production, enables the membrane to meet or exceed wind uplift and fire resistance codes, and addresses the energy concerns of building owners. Reengineering of Roofing Gauge Control/Die Bolt System Steve Opheim - Muscle Shoals, Alabama Derrill Young - Muscle Shoals, Alabama Chuck Marks - Muscle Shoals, Alabama Kevin Wallace - Muscle Shoals, Alabama This team re-engineered equipment used to manufacture commercial roofing membranes, which allowed OMNOVA's GenFlex Building Products business to minimize product inconsistencies and avoid costly replacement of parts. Crushed Tweed Rigid Film Kristen M. Peterson - Jeannette, Pennsylvania John R. Coulter - Jeannette, Pennsylvania Working with the customer, this team developed a unique laminating solution for ceiling tile applications. The new film provides the customer with consistent color, look and feel within a shortened processing time. viewnique(R) Digital Wall Murals Chip Swartz - Fairlawn, Ohio Matt Orley - Fairlawn, Ohio Ronnie Bell - Columbus, Mississippi OMNOVA's line of viewnique(R) Digital Wall Murals offers a unique, customizable option for architects and designers. This team is responsible for making viewnique a total design solution through innovative printing, exceptional creativity, and superior customer and installation services.

OMNOVA Solutions Inc. is a technology-based company with 2005 sales of $810 million and a current workforce of 1,800 employees worldwide. OMNOVA is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, decorative and functional surfaces, and single-ply roofing systems for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. Visit OMNOVA Solutions on the internet at http://www.omnova.com/.