AWA Release Liner Industry Leadership Award

For nearly 40 years, Sean has been active in the labels and release liners industry as an expert in silicone coatings, dedicated to innovation and customers’ development. In his technical days, he was at the origin of the Silcolease™ range, a set of silicone solutions dedicated to paper release coatings.

In addition to his technical expertise, and with a strong sense of customer focus, Sean has also taken various jobs in business development, marketing, and business organization leadership, fueling the growth of the silicones division of Rhône Poulenc, Rhodia, Bluestar and now Elkem.

All along his career, Sean has also been a recognized contributor of several Industry Associations and has served as FINAT executive board member and chairman of its technical committee.

Newly promoted Vice President Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance for Elkem Silicones, Sean was invited to deliver the opening keynote at the 23rd AWA Global Release Liner Industry Conference, titled «the Dilemma of Sustainable Growth». Drawn from his extensive experience in the release liners industry, Sean's speech shared a few reflections on the challenges and opportunities that companies face while addressing the necessary changes of our now VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambigous) world.

It was a busy conference for Elkem representatives: Sean was later a panelist at the executive leadership session, Agnès Jolly – Technical Service Global Leader – and Kyle Rhodes – Americas Regional Business Leader – gave an excellent technical lecture on our most recent innovations in silicones UV technologies for paper coatings, and Kyle continued as an active panelist in the technical and innovation track. Sean Duffy received the prestigious award during the AWA conference dinner on Tuesday night.

About the Award

This award is delivered by AWA, a recognized market intelligence firm specialized in the paper and film industry. Elkem Silicones is a platinum sponsor to AWA events and has been an active partner of the industry for decades.

Every year since 2015, this award symbolizes peer and industry recognition to an individual who has demonstrated singular dedication, service, and leadership through their efforts to drive growth, innovation, and continuing success for the release liner industry. For this 8^th edition, Sean Duffy is honored with this distinction.

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