The 18th Quality Innovation Award has successfully concluded, celebrating outstanding innovations from across the globe. This year, a remarkable total of 557 innovations from 7 countries participated in the competition, with the top 23 being recognized with prestigious Awards or Prizes. The traditional Award Ceremony will be hosted by the Thailand Productivity Institute in May 2025.

 

As in previous years, the winners of each category underwent a rigorous evaluation process based on a strict methodology. Key criteria included novelty value, usability, learning, customer orientation and effectiveness. The winners were selected through a meticulous voting process conducted by the participating national Quality Associations.

 

After identifying the 8 category winners, the international jury selected the annual Innovation of Innovations from among these top innovations. This year, the Innovation of Innovations prize goes to MBK-01, THE FIRST NON-ANTIBIOTIC ANTIBIOTIC, developed by MIKROBIOMIK HEALTHCARE COMPANY S.L. from Spain.

 

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for their extraordinary achievements!

 

For more information, please visit our website at www.qiaward.com or contact us directly:

 

China Association for Quality

Ms. Jing (Twinkle) Tong

+86 10 6607 2213

qia@caq.org.cn

 

Full list of awards:

Innovation of Innovations:

MIKROBIOMIK HEALTHCARE COMPANY S.L./ Spain

MBK-01, THE FIRST NON-ANTIBIOTIC ANTIBIOTIC.

MBK-01 is an innovative biological drug based on gut microbiota to treat infections caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which leads to severe diarrhea, without the use of conventional antibiotics.

 

Potential innovations

Award Winner: UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA / Spain

Hollow Fibre System Technologies – Value for Pharma, Biotech, Health Care Systems and Society.

The Hollow Fibre System accelerates drug development, reduces costs and animal usage, and lowers the risk of clinical failure. We have implemented the largest Biosafety Level 3 capacity in Europe.

 

Prize Winner: Beijing Institute of Precision Mechatronics and Controls / China

The Development and Application of the Exoskeleton Intelligent Recognition System

This innovation developed an adaptive exoskeleton system with 97.28% accuracy, balancing generalization and individual differences. Using the QFD-FMEA model, it enhanced usability and safety. Deployed in two fire stations, it improved efficiency and reduced firefighter strain.

 

Prize Winner: Municipality of 13th District of Capital Budapest / Hungary

Smart Kindergarten with Smart Kids: When Dreams Become Reality.

The integration of intelligent architectural design and operational strategies, coupled with the utilisation of digital pedagogical tools, collectively shape the digital ecosystem.

 

Circular economy and carbon neutrality innovations

Award Winner: SEGUAS AIRE COMPRIMIDO Y FRIO INDUSTRIAL SLU / Spain

SEGUAS' Duoenergy System to Reduce Gas Consumption as Much as Possible and Decarbonise Industry

DuoEnergy system recovers up to 136% of the cooling energy of a chiller in the form of heat to be able to air condition an industrial warehouse or reuse it in other industrial processes.

 

Prize Winner: Metsä Goup / Finland

Metsä Group Plus

Metsä Group Plus is a forest management model aimed at enhancing biodiversity and improving the state of forest nature. This model was introduced in June 2023 and offers owner-members the opportunity to conduct forestry work with more extensive nature conservation measures than before.

 

Prize Winner: PTT LNG Co., Ltd. / Thailand

Green Future: Carbon Neutral Buildings Harnessing LNG Cold Energy

This pioneering building sets a new standard in energy efficiency and carbon neutrality. Designed with extensive glass walls and roofing, it maximizes natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The air conditioning system leverages cold energy from LNG regasification technology, cutting power consumption by over 50% compared to conventional systems. With the addition of a solar rooftop and wind turbine, the building is now powered by its own renewable energy source during the daytime, ensuring sustainable and green operations.

 

Health care sector innovations

Award Winner: MIKROBIOMIK HEALTHCARE COMPANY S.L. /Spain

MBK-01, THE FIRST NON-ANTIBIOTIC ANTIBIOTIC.

MBK-01 is an innovative biological drug based on gut microbiota to treat infections caused by the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which leads to severe diarrhea, without the use of conventional antibiotics.

 

Prize Winner: Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical General Factory / China

Development of a New Method for Measuring Particle Size of Drugs

This project developed a new drug particle size measurement method by classifying samples, using liquid-airflow dispersion to prevent agglomeration, and applying light scattering for diverse particle shapes. The method has a 15-day development cycle, 100% validation success, and offers efficient, accurate measurement.

 

Prize Winner: MEDICOR Elektronika Zrt. / Hungary

AI-enabled Data Collection and Analysis Hospital Data Concentrator System

The Data Concentrator will raise the quality and safety of neonatal intensive care (PIC) to a high level, connect to the hospitals' information system (HIS) and reduce the need for human resources.

 

Education sector innovations

Award Winner: China Guangfa Bank Co., Ltd.(CGB) Credit Card Center / China

The Innovation of a Comprehensive Full-Process Smart Anti-Telecom Fraud Education System

To improve financial literacy and meet the need for effective education, this innovation integrates the OECD Framework and utilizes real-time computing, machine learning, and big data. CGB developed an anti-fraud education system that boosts public fraud prevention awareness. In 2023, it educated over 10 million people and intercepted RMB 30 million in losses, enhancing financial security.

 

Prize Winner: Amadip Esment Foundation / Spain

Esment Escola Professional, An Educational and Social Innovation Project Transferable to Spain and Europe

Esment Escola Professional is an educational innovation project (pioneer in Spain), promoted by Amadip Esment Foundation (AEF), a social organisation in Mallorca (Balearic Islands), which transfers and shares its learning with other contexts and territories.

 

Prize Winner: Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Economics / Hungary

Resource Optimization of University Exams to Improve Service Quality at ELTE Faculty of Economics

The new approach is based on the idea of creating an innovative solution to the assessment service. The task of organizing and administering of all faculty-related exams are removed from the traditional teaching tasks. The administration of the exams has become the responsibility of a single, autonomous unit, the Exam Centre, which has its own optimally sized resource capacity and standardized procedure.

 

Public sector innovations

Award Winner: Xiamen Airlines / China

Digital-Driven Innovation in Xiamen Airlines’ Flight Data Management and Application

This project uses the PDCA method to develop 53 flight data models, achieving over 99% accuracy in detecting risks and enhancing safety through digital decision-making. Xiamen Airlines has logged 8.6 million safe flight hours, with an incident rate of 0.005—well below the global average—and saves 79 million EUR annually in fuel and maintenance costs.

 

Prize Winner: Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa (Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa) / Spain

Zaintza Herrilab Strategy: Driving the Development of Local Care Ecosystems

Driving the development of local care ecosystems to improve care and services for elderly people living at home, through the collaboration of the elder care ecosystem stakeholders.

 

Prize Winner: Municipal Library of Jászberény / Hungary

The Creation of the Folktale Section of JÁSzsÁG in the Library of JÁSzberÉNy as Library Innovation

The Folktale Section of Jászság can only be found in our library in the whole country. Its aims are tradition, the re-recognition of read aloud storytelling, the tale and education to become a reader.

 

Business innovations (micro & startup companies)

Award Winner: SURPHASE / Spain

Operational Excellence in Water Desalination Plants Through Innovative Sensor Nanotechnology

A device featuring a disruptive, patented sensor nanotechnology that proactively detects and monitors membrane fouling and cleaning efficiency in real time, using a non-invasive approach.

 

Prize Winner: Conqum Systems Ltd./Israel

CONQUM - CONstruction QUality Management and Control System

CONQUM is a patented automated construction quality management system applicable to any project type. It enables users to monitor and control every detail of construction progress, adhering to adjustable quality standards. Designed to address the growing complexity of construction projects, it helps project managers identify failures, track deviations, and generate reports efficiently. With advanced automation and real-time updates via mobile or tablet, CONQUM improves process control, prevents errors, and enhances project efficiency and quality.

 

Prize Winner: MyBusDirect Zrt. / Hungary

Mybusdirect – Industry 4.0 Begins with Employee Transportation

MyBusDirect creates a Sustainable Transportation Ecosystem, offering financial savings and environmental benefits, leading to a more sustainable and efficient future where cost-effectiveness and environmental awareness prevail.

 

Business innovations (small and medium sized companies)

Award Winner: LABORATORIOS TECNOLÓGICOS DE LEVANTE, S.L. / Spain

Environmental Genomics for Environmental and Water Quality Monitoring

Development of a new DNA-based test for the identification of benthic diatoms in European water bodies.

 

Prize Winner: Beijing Institute of Near-space Vehicle's Systems Engineering / China

Development of Aircraft Antenna Window Product Portfolio and Recommendation Platform

The quality innovation optimizes the design and manufacture of antenna windows. It has established an recommendation platform and a product portfolio, approved as Chinese national military standard.

 

Business innovations (large companies)

Award Winner: Xingtai Iron and Steel Corp., Ltd. / China

Technological Innovation and Application of High Strength and Ultra-Clean Cold Heading Steel for New Energy Vehicle

Through mechanism research, numerical simulation, quality design and production test, this project has developed high-end cold heading steel for new energy vehicles, and its technology has reached the international advanced level.

 

Prize Winner: Elisa Oyj, ltd. / Finland

The Battle Against Scam Calls

In Finland and around the world, many scam calls are made to citizens. These scam calls aim to extract money from citizens or gain some other advantage. Elisa Oyj's automated system detects scam calls and has reduced their number by over 90 percent in Finland alone. The system utilizes artificial intelligence and identifies scam calls within hundredths of a second. The system is scalable for worldwide use and adaptable to all language regions.

 

Prize Winner: CELULOSAS DE ASTURIAS S.A.U / Spain

Zero Odour Project. Improvement of Environmental Performance to Obtain the Social License

The management of environmental aspects is evaluated beyond the Legal Framework, adapting the company's environmental performance to the requirements of society and stakeholders through BAT.