[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING BIOVATION, LLC

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, for 25 years, the Smaller Business 
Association of New England, SBANE, has been recognizing the 
accomplishments and innovations of small businesses throughout the 
Northeast with its innovation awards. The Rising Star category is 
reserved for those small businesses that will have a significant impact 
in their industry or sector in the near future.
  Today I rise to recognize Biovation LLC, a small manufacturing firm 
in the coastal Maine town of Boothbay that creates antimicrobial 
chemical and nonwoven fiber products for both food packaging and wound 
care. Biovation beat out nearly 200 nominees and 20 finalists to win 
the coveted Rising Star category of the SBANE's Innovation Awards, a 
truly worthy and aptly named recognition for this up-and-coming firm.
  The company was nominated for the SBANE award by the Maine 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, with which it has worked to 
increase efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. Rosemary Presnar 
of the Maine MEP has noted that Biovation possesses ``a rare 
combination of engineering capability and entrepreneurial zeal; and 
they're visionary in applying their technology to develop new products 
and create new market opportunities.'' This commitment to improvement 
is a source of inspiration, and is an example of the blossoming 
technological and R&D sector that is transforming Maine. Biovation 
received the award at SBANE's annual gala dinner on May 11 in 
Massachusetts, joining Maine companies such as Tom's of Maine and 
Wright Express, which have been recognized in previous years.
  Biovation aspires to become a worldwide leader in the product safety 
and wound care sectors within the next decade, and the company is off 
to a resounding start. Biovation has developed a process where textile 
fibers are infused with antimicrobial chemical formulations; these 
fibers can be used for bandages and dressings to prevent the spread of 
disease by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. Clearly, this 
is a perfect tool for use in hospitals and medical facilities worldwide 
in efforts to eradicate the transmission of infections between 
patients.
  In April of this year, Biovation shipped out its first orders of food 
safety products, and by this time next year, it expects to complete 
contract negotiations with a medical company for its wound care 
products. Additionally, the U.S. Marines have expressed interest in 
acquiring absorbent liners to keep soldier's boots dry. Because 
countries like Iraq and Afghanistan lack the proper infrastructure, it 
is difficult to use electric dryers for such tasks. Biovation's unique 
products can provide an affordable, lightweight pad to help our troops 
stay comfortable during their critical missions in extreme temperatures 
and conditions.
  It will take America's nearly 30 million small businesses working to 
out-innovate and out-produce the rest of the world to provide for a 
lasting economic recovery. With companies like Biovation leading the 
way, I am confident that we are well-poised to move our economy 
forward. I thank everyone at Biovation for their dedication and 
forward-thinking, and congratulate them on their success.

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