Packaging industry leader Novolex has been chosen Safety Company of the Year by the Plastics Industry Association.

The association also recognized Ivan Marquez, regional EHS manager for Novolex, with its first-ever Rising Safety Professional award. Earlier in December, the group honored 15 Novolex facilities with awards for their exceptional, successful efforts to keep workers safe.

"Maintaining a safe work environment has always been our foremost priority at Novolex," says Stan Bikulege, Novolex’s CEO and chairman. "Our 10,000 employees are committed to keeping each other safe every day on the job. Continuous improvement and commitment to safety are key to us all at Novolex. These awards are a testament to our strong culture of workplace safety."

Novolex was honored as Safety Company of the Year because of its outstanding safety record and its culture that revolves around a safe work environment, according to the assoication. To earn the award, a company must establish a safety program that serves as an example of how the organization's culture is committed to continuous improvement of safety.