The jury was impressed, calling AxiCool a "sophisticated technical device with high production quality - a self-contained solution in 100% plastic." AxiCool’s special design details counteract ice formation and optimize defrosting cycles. For example, both the patented fan housing and the fan blades are made of tough plastic, a material that is less prone to ice formation than metal. It is also possible to insert heating tape directly into the covered fan housing system to prevent unnecessary heat transfer to the environment. This reliably stops ice formation between the axial blade and the fan housing, which could block the fan. Coaming inside the fan housing ensures that melt water can drain into the drip pan: splash water must be prevented from contaminating food stored in open containers, for example. This design detail also allows plastic to show off its advantages. More air with less energy consumption Since the back pressures in evaporators are high, the design is based on a diffuser combined with guide vanes. The integrated guide vane system minimizes flow turbulence to achieve maximum efficiency and minimum noise. In this way, air performance can increase by up to 12% while the noise level falls by up to 5 dB(A) as compared to a conventional fan with a short nozzle. To put it in a nutshell: AxiCool transports more air with less energy consumption and reduced noise. About the pro-K Award Since 1979, "pro-K Industrieverband Halbzeuge und Konsumprodukte aus Kunststoff", the German association for producers of semi-finished and finished plastic products, confer an award for outstanding products made of plastic. Its purpose is to showcase the performance properties of plastics to the general public. The outstanding products feature creativity, well-designed functionality and special properties. In 2017, the award was given in 10 categories, including storage & conveying systems, entertainment & communication electronics, garden furniture, toys and surface systems.