The Innovation Awards Shortlist has been announced by kbb Birmingham, Europe’s biennial kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms event. With the show just around the corner, the awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate creative and ground-breaking solutions from brands in the sector. Visitors to the show can see the nnovations for themselves and even vote for their favourite in the ‘People’s Choice’ category. A panel of leading professionals and experts from the KBB sector will judge the final categories: the ‘Judges Choice Award’ and the ‘Sustainability Award’. Blum, a leading manufacturer of high-quality kitchen fittings, returns as a partner for the awards.

 The brands that have made the shortlist include:

• Woodio® UK – Woodio® Washbasin

Pictured top – Woodio® is the world’s first collection of 100% waterproof, solid wood composite washbasins for use in commercial interior schemes.

• Space-Plug Limited – Space-Plug Evolution

Space-Plug Evolution is an adjustable spacer fixing that manufacturers can use to mimic the shortening of side panels. The solution saves material and makes smaller, lighter cabinets that installers can fit faster, easier and more accurately than ever before.

• Rassam Innovations Ltd – Expand 2 Fit Furniture

Expand 2 Fit Furniture is a simple way of expanding storage structures such as wardrobes, kitchen units, sideboards, shelves, and cabinets to fit any space up to the millimetre.

• Elica – LHOV

Pictured below left, the LHOV establishes a new category in household appliances as a 3 in 1 solution that integrates hob, hood, and oven, making the best use of space in the home and a product that reshapes the cooking experience.

• BORA Vertriebs GmbH & Co KG – BORA QVac – The built in vacuum sealer

Pictured below right, the BORA QVac can be used to vacuum seal food for sous-vide cooking in the BORA X BO steam oven or a pan, marinating or simply to preserve food for longer.

• Samsung – Less Microfiber™ Filter

The Less Microfiber™ Filter is an external washing machine filter designed to significantly reduce plastic microfiber emissions during laundry cycles.

• Hidealoo – Hidealoo

Pictured below left, Hidealoo is a unique steel mechanism that works with any standard wall-hung ceramic pan and cistern and allows it to be rotated through 90 degrees, meaning it can be hidden within a cabinet or cavity space.

• Ca’ Pietra – Reform Composite Stone

Reform is a durable blend of recycled stone materials available in three formats and up to twelve different colourways. It is made in a carbon-neutral factory and has up to 60% recycled content. The tile can be used indoor and out, on walls and floors.

• Triton Showers – ENVi® Next Generation Electric Shower

Pictured below right, Triton’s ENVi® is a first-to-market electric shower concept, featuring a unique control panel that encourages more sustainable showering habits.

• Novy – Designer Lighting Collection

Pictured top, the new lighting collection is designed by Matthijs Jansen and Jorg de Bont and each of the three models features touch-free Gesture Control. Energy-efficient and using integrated LED technology, the products are fully recyclable.

“The Innovation Awards are always a highlight of the show and this year we had more entries than ever before. The shortlist demonstrates a range of products and solutions that are creating a real impact – both in the industry and the home. We’re excited for visitors to vote for their favourite product and to congratulate the innovators that have pushed the boundaries of design,” commented Sam Fisher, Event Director, kbb Birmingham.

One of the judges for the awards and Architect and Interior Design Liaison at Blum, Amanda Hughes commented, “We believe strongly in supporting innovation within the industry through the kbb Innovation Awards. Blum develops ideas for the future, and by partnering with the awards, we can celebrate ideas that can make a difference across the KBB industry.”

Visit the NEC Birmingham from 3-6 March to see all shortlisted entries on display alongside over 320 exhibitors in the KBB sector. The show will culminate with an announcement of the Innovation Awards finalists live on the 6^th March. Register for your free kbb Birmingham visitor pass here.

For more information on the shortlisted entries, please visit the kbb Innovation Awards page here.

For all the latest news, check out kbb Birmingham’s new WhatsApp Channel where visitors can access the latest show news and on-site updates.