UP Faculty of Polymer Technology Received the Bronze National GZS Award for Innovation
The innovation "Innovative hot-runner system with needle valve gate and integrated gas injection," developed by O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o. and UP Faculty of Polymer Technology, received the bronze national award from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS).
On Innovation Day 2026, which took place on September 15, 2026, at the Brdo Congress Centre near Kranj, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia presented national awards for the twenty-fourth time to the most innovative companies and innovators in companies and other organizations.
Among this year's recipients of national awards are O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o. and UP Faculty of Polymer Technology, which received the bronze national GZS award for the innovation "Innovative hot-runner system with needle valve gate and integrated gas injection."
An Innovative Solution in the Field of Plastic Injection Molding
The innovation represents a hybrid plastic injection molding system with gas-assisted injection (GIT) directly through the needle valve nozzle of the hot-runner system. The key element of the innovation is the integration of a porous insert with a gas channel for gas injection directly into the shut-off needle of the hot-runner system.
The innovation is the result of cooperation between our faculty and the company O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o. The development team included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Blaž Nardin, Silvester Bolka, M.Sc., Aljaž Kolar, M.Sc., Bojan Breznik, and Primož Haberman.
An Important Contribution by an UP FTPO Graduate
A special place in the development of the innovation goes to Aljaž Kolar, a graduate of the Faculty of Polymer Technology and representative of the company O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o. As written at FTPO, he made a significant contribution to the development of the innovation, and he conducted research work in this field as part of his master's thesis.
The example beautifully illustrates the integration of study, research work, and the economy, as well as the transfer of knowledge into the development of a concrete technological solution.
From Regional to National Recognition
Before being placed at the national level, the innovation was also awarded at the regional selection of the best innovations of the Koroška region for 2026. O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o. and the Faculty of Polymer Technology received a gold award for it and thus qualified for the national level.
In the regional call for the best innovations of Koroška for 2026, 22 innovation proposals were submitted, involving more than 135 innovators.
At the national level, 8 gold, 27 silver, and 13 bronze awards were presented this year, as well as a special award for the innovation challenge. This year's Innovation Day was held under the slogan "Innovations Create a Safe Future."
The bronze national award represents an important recognition of the joint work of the faculty and the company O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o., as well as the successful integration of knowledge, research, and the economy.
We are proud that our research and development work was recognized at the national level as well, and we are particularly pleased with the case in which the research work of our graduate connected with the development of an innovation in the economy.
Sincere congratulations to the entire team on the achieved award!