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Three international industrial design institutions have recognized the innovative Amtrol-Alfa NEXI™ IoT solution manufactured by Worthington Enterprises.

NEXI is the first IoT Solution integrated into a gas cylinder and is designed for recyclability. Integrated into an XLite™ cylinder, it has a polymeric handle and base, which makes the cylinder ultra-lightweight and ergonomic. The NEXI IoT device is installed securely on the underside. The polymeric base improves cylinder lifespan by avoiding corrosion on the bottom while also acting as a shock absorber. The innovative, high-strength steel provides the cylinder with increased durability, allowing it to be lighter while maintaining the expected resistance. The polymeric shroud is made with fully recyclable thermoplastic and ensures both safety and comfort in handling.

iF DESIGN AWARDS

In collaboration with GALP, a Portuguese LPG provider, the NEXI IoT system enhances user experience for LPG distributors and end-users by monitoring gas levels in real-time and geolocating assets in the field. The iF DESIGN AWARD, which annually receives approximately 10,000 submissions from around 70 countries, is one the most prestigious design awards in the world. Owned by the non-profit iF Design Foundation, the award emphasizes design's global impact.

German Innovation Awards

The NEXI Series won gold in the gold in the Business-to-Consumer Household Appliances category of the renowned German Innovation Awards. This competition “honors products, projects and pioneering achievements that sustainably improve life through innovation and progress.”

The jury wrote, “The Pluma NEXI gas container is the first LPG container with an integrated autonomous IoT system. This not only allows the fill level in the gas container and consumption to be conveniently monitored via smartphone and app, but also makes cylinder logistics significantly more efficient and also lower in emissions for gas suppliers. What's more, the steel container with its robust and recyclable plastic casing is highly stable despite its thin-walled design, yet comparatively light, which also reduces CO2 emissions during transport. A well thought-out and contemporary product that reflects the demand for progress and quality in its striking aesthetics down to the last detail.”

Jimmy Bowes, president, Building Products, said, “This product is a shining example of the innovation taking place throughout our Company. I am thrilled to see our products showcased along the best industrial design products in the world.”

In 2023, the NEXI cylinder earned honors from the prestigious GOOD DESIGN Awards presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd. This program recognizes the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product and graphic designs produced around the world. In the same competition, Worthington Enterprises also won in the Retail Fittings category for the Handy Handle, which is designed for non-refillable cylinders already available in the helium market. The single handle’s innovative triangle shape directly connects the user’s hand to the cylinder’s valve suspension point, allowing a more balanced transport position.

Also, last year, the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) included NEXI as one of its most outstanding innovations in its annual Global Technology Conference Innovation Awards program. NEXI was the runner-up for the top honor.