Шведский конкурс «Стальной приз» объявил сроки подачи заявок до 17 января 2027 года

Deadline: 17-Jan-2027 The Swedish Steel Prize is an international competition recognizing companies and institutions that develop innovative products or methods using the unique properties of steel. The competition aims to highlight significant innovations in steel applications and encourage creativity, technological progress, sustainability, performance, and competitiveness within the steel industry. Entries must be submitted as either a product or a method. For product entries, a prototype must already exist and the solution must be commercially viable from a business perspective, although full-scale production is not required. Products must fall within SSAB’s product range, but they do not have to use steel produced by SSAB. For method entries, the method must have been tested and documented for use in production. Entries are evaluated by a jury using four equally weighted criteria: innovation and creativity, sustainability, performance, and competitiveness. Finalists are expected to attend the Swedish Steel Prize event and present their entry. The winner receives a diploma, statuette, and significant media exposure. In connection with the event, SSAB also makes a donation to charity. About the Swedish Steel Prize The Swedish Steel Prize is an internationally recognized competition celebrating innovative applications of steel. The competition focuses on companies and institutions that demonstrate how steel can be used in new and creative ways to develop products or production methods. Rather than recognizing steel simply as a material, the prize highlights innovations that make effective use of the properties and potential of steel. The competition aims to: - Recognize significant innovations in steel applications. - Encourage creative approaches to product and method development. - Demonstrate the unique properties of steel. - Promote technological progress in the steel industry. - Encourage sustainable solutions. - Highlight high-performing and competitive steel applications. - Inspire further innovation across the global steel sector. What Can Be Entered? Entries must fall into one of two categories: - Products - Methods Applicants should ensure that their innovation clearly fits one of these two entry types. Product Entries A product entry must meet specific development requirements. The product must have: - An existing prototype. - A solution that is viable from a business perspective. - A clear innovative application of steel. The product does not need to be in full production at the time of entry. This allows innovations that have progressed beyond the concept stage but have not yet reached full-scale commercial manufacturing to be considered. SSAB Product Range Requirement Products entered into the competition must be within SSAB’s product range. However, the product does not necessarily have to use steel produced by SSAB. This distinction means that the relevant requirement concerns whether the product falls within SSAB’s product range rather than requiring the entrant to use SSAB-produced steel specifically. Method Entries Method-based entries have a different requirement from products. A method must have been: - Tested. - Documented. - Demonstrated for use in production. Applicants should therefore be able to provide evidence that the proposed method has moved beyond a theoretical concept and has been tested and documented in a production context. Innovation and Creativity Innovation and creativity are among the four equally weighted judging parameters. The jury considers how the entry demonstrates a meaningful and creative new use of steel. Applicants should clearly communicate: - What is innovative about the product or method. - What problem the innovation addresses. - How steel’s properties enable the solution. - What differentiates the innovation from existing approaches. - Why the approach represents a significant advancement. Sustainability Sustainability is another equally weighted evaluation criterion. Applicants should demonstrate the environmental or sustainability benefits associated with their innovation where relevant. The submission should make it clear how the use of steel and the proposed solution can contribute to more sustainable products or production methods. Performance The jury also evaluates performance. Entries should demonstrate that the innovation delivers meaningful functional or operational benefits. Applicants should explain the practical performance of the product or method and how it compares with existing solutions where appropriate. Competitiveness The fourth equally weighted criterion is competitiveness. For product entries in particular, the competition looks for solutions that are viable from a business perspective. Applicants should demonstrate the commercial or competitive potential of their innovation and explain why it can provide value in its intended application or market. How the Entries Are Judged The jury evaluates submissions using four criteria, with each parameter carrying equal weight: - Innovation and creativity - Sustainability - Performance - Competitiveness Because the criteria are equally weighted, applicants should avoid focusing exclusively on technical innovation. A strong entry should present a balanced case showing that the innovation is creative, sustainable, high-performing, and competitive. Presenting as a Finalist Finalists are expected to participate in the Swedish Steel Prize event. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their entry as part of the event. Applicants should therefore be prepared to communicate their innovation clearly to an international audience and explain the value of their steel-based solution. Winner Benefits The Swedish Steel Prize winner receives several forms of recognition. The winner receives: - A diploma. - A statuette. - Intense media exposure. The media exposure provides an opportunity to increase international visibility for the winning innovation, company, or institution. Charity Donation The Swedish Steel Prize also has a charitable component. In conjunction with the event, SSAB makes a donation to charity. This means that the competition’s impact extends beyond recognizing innovation in the steel industry and also contributes to a charitable cause. How to Prepare a Strong Entry Applicants should present their innovation in a way that addresses all four judging criteria. A strong entry should: - Define the innovation clearly: Explain what the product or method is and what makes it different. - Demonstrate the role of steel: Clearly show how the properties of steel make the innovation possible or improve its performance. - Provide evidence of development: For products, demonstrate that a prototype exists. For methods, provide evidence of testing and documentation for production use. - Explain business viability: Product entries should demonstrate that the solution is commercially viable from a business perspective. - Address sustainability: Explain the sustainability benefits and relevant environmental improvements. - Demonstrate performance: Provide evidence showing that the innovation performs effectively. - Explain competitiveness: Show how the solution creates competitive value. - Present a balanced case: Since all four judging parameters are equally weighted, the entry should address innovation, sustainability, performance, and competitiveness. - Prepare for finalist presentation: Finalists are expected to attend the Swedish Steel Prize event and present their innovation. Product Entry Checklist Before submitting a product, applicants should confirm that: - A prototype exists. - The solution is viable from a business perspective. - Full production is not required at the entry stage. - The product falls within SSAB’s product range. - The product does not necessarily need to use SSAB-produced steel. - The innovation demonstrates meaningful use of steel’s properties. Method Entry Checklist Before submitting a method, applicants should confirm that: - The method has been tested. - The method has been documented. - The method is intended for use in production. - The innovation demonstrates a significant or creative application of steel. Key Facts at a Glance - Competition: Swedish Steel Prize. - Type: International innovation competition. - Focus: Innovative use of steel. - Eligible entry types: Products and methods. - Product requirement: Prototype must exist. - Product business requirement: Solution must be commercially viable from a business perspective. - Full production: Not required for product entries. - SSAB product range: Products must be within SSAB’s product range. - SSAB steel requirement: Products do not necessarily have to use steel produced by SSAB. - Method requirement: Must be tested and documented for production use. - Judging criteria: Innovation and creativity, sustainability, performance, competitiveness. - Weighting: Four criteria are equally weighted. - Finalists: Expected to participate in the Swedish Steel Prize event and present their entry. - Winner receives: Diploma, statuette, and intense media exposure. - Charitable contribution: SSAB makes a donation to charity in conjunction with the event. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Swedish Steel Prize? The Swedish Steel Prize is an international competition recognizing innovative products and methods that make use of the properties of steel. Who can enter the Swedish Steel Prize? The competition recognizes innovations from companies and institutions. Entries must meet the competition’s requirements for either a product or a method. What types of innovations can be submitted? Entries must be either a product or a method. Does a product need to be fully manufactured? No. A product does not need to be in full production. However, a prototype must exist and the solution must be viable from a business perspective. Does a product have to use SSAB steel? No. A product must be within SSAB’s product range, but it does not necessarily need to use steel produced by SSAB. What are the requirements for method entries? The method must have been tested and documented for use in production. What criteria does the jury use? The jury evaluates entries according to four equally weighted criteria: - Innovation and creativity. - Sustainability. - Performance. - Competitiveness. Which judging criterion is most important? None of the four criteria has greater weight than the others. Innovation and creativity, sustainability, performance, and competitiveness are all equally weighted. Do finalists need to attend the event? Yes. Finalists are expected to participate in the Swedish Steel Prize event and present their entry. What does the winner receive? The winner receives a diploma, a statuette, and significant media exposure. Does the competition support charity? Yes. In connection with the Swedish Steel Prize event, SSAB makes a donation to charity. Conclusion The Swedish Steel Prize provides international recognition for companies and institutions developing innovative products and production methods that demonstrate the potential of steel. The competition is particularly suited to innovations that go beyond conventional steel applications and demonstrate meaningful advances in innovation and creativity, sustainability, performance, and competitiveness. Product entries must have an existing prototype and demonstrate business viability, while method entries must be tested and documented for production use. Products must fall within SSAB’s product range but do not necessarily have to use SSAB-produced steel. For innovators in the steel industry and related sectors, the Swedish Steel Prize offers an opportunity to showcase pioneering work on an international stage, with the winner receiving a diploma, statuette, and substantial media exposure. The event also has a wider social impact through SSAB’s associated charitable donation. For more information, visit SSAB.