Need

ExxonMobil, the Seeker for this Innocentive Challenge, is seeking high-potential ideas that could unlock new applications and new markets for its Vistamaxx™ performance polymers.

Vistamaxx performance polymers are a semi-crystalline polyolefin elastomer, which can enable a wide variety of unique product attributes. Its unique polymer attributes (flexibility, toughness, dispersion-aiding, elasticity, clarity, cling, sealability, softness and adhesion) make it a versatile, primary material or tunable additive that enhances end-product performance.

Solvers are invited to propose underutilized use cases, unexplored markets/industries, or standout replacements and displacements where Vistamaxx would deliver a clear advantage – either in its use as a primary material (also called ‘predominant use’) or as a modifier providing tunable properties to other polymers.

In this Challenge, ExxonMobil is only interested in new markets and breakthrough applications for Vistamaxx that go beyond, replace, or displace non-polyolefin polymers like styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), polyesters, polyamides (e.g., nylon), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polystyrene. The reason is that the addition of Vistamaxx polymers as a modifier to augment properties in polyolefinic polymers like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), as well as its comparative material and property improvements over PE and PP are well known. For this reason, submissions that propose only displacing polyethylene or polypropylene will not be considered.

A successful solution to this Challenge will:

• Describe in detail a use case or novel market where Vistamaxx presents a core opportunity or upgrade (either in predominant use or as a part of the solution as a modifier with other materials),
• Make close reference to specific material properties, grades, characteristics, and known processing/physical limitations of Vistamaxx,
• and provide a reasonable estimate of the potential demand of at least 2 kilotons per annum (KTA) for Vistamaxx usage.

Submissions that demonstrate property-for-property substitution of a non-polyolefin material and clearly articulate market demand, processing feasibility, and cost advantage will be especially competitive.

Prize/IP

By taking part in this Prize Challenge, you are granting ExxonMobil a non-exclusive right to use your submitted information; however, ExxonMobil must determine the award winners within 45 days from the start of evaluation, otherwise ExxonMobil loses this right.

The Challenge requires a written proposal to be submitted. There will be a guaranteed award pool of $30,000, with at least one award of $15,000 or larger and no award being smaller than $2,500. Award distribution (or allocation) will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposals.

Solvers may:

• Submit ideas of their own.
• Submit third-party information that they have the right to use and further, the authority to convey to ExxonMobil this right with the right to use and develop derivative works.
• Submit information considered in the public domain without any limitations on use.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on May 25, 2026.

Please review the later Participation Guidance section before submitting a proposal.

- Login or register your interest to start solving! -

Seeker/Eligibility

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. The corporation’s primary businesses - Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions - provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies in the world.

ExxonMobil Signature Polymers is ExxonMobil’s new portfolio brand for polymers and is created not only to simplify the way you connect with us for all your polyolefin solutions/needs but also progress towards enhancing your experience at every touchpoint that you have with us.

Employees of ExxonMobil are ineligible to receive an award for this Challenge.

Challenge

Background

Vistamaxx™ performance polymers are part of a class of propylene-based elastomers offering a unique combination of elastomeric and thermoplastic properties. Developed using ExxonMobil’s proprietary catalyst technology, these polymers enable tailored performance by adjusting characteristics such as flexibility, melt flow rate, hardness, and elasticity.

Based on product datasheet information (containing the specific test methods), Vistamaxx grades typically have:

• Melt flow rate (MFR) between 0.9 and an estimated 8,000+ grams per 10 minutes (g/10min).
• Density between 0.862 and 0.889 grams per centimeter cubed (g/cm³).
• Flexural modulus 1% secant between 1,900 and 58,000 psi.
• Shore A/C/D durometer hardness between 67A and 50D.
• Vicat Softening Temperature between 45.2 and 103 °C (113 and 217 °F).

Values for common physical values are available at the following link with further information on each grade shown on their respective technical data sheets available here. When creating your solution, reference to the chosen Vistamaxx grade and specific characteristics/property target values will be favored by evaluators.

Vistamaxx offers soft touch, flexibility, clarity, stretch, and other leading tunable properties without sacrificing processing efficiency, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications in industries like construction, hygiene, adhesives, and packaging.

Given the polymer’s broad and tunable property range, either as a predominant use material or as a modifier, Vistamaxx polymers could have further industrial or application areas that have not yet been explored, or new markets where existing applications could add value. This Challenge seeks to identify novel, feasible, and compatible applications or markets with justification for the adoption of Vistamaxx.

Resources for Solvers including the latest case studies and industry insights from ExxonMobil’s Vistamaxx product line can be found here: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/products/signature-polymers/vistamaxx_performance_polymers

The Challenge

ExxonMobil invites Solvers to apply with solutions that fall into one or both of the following categories:

1. Novel market for existing applications: identify underserved or emerging geographic or industrial markets where existing uses of Vistamaxx polymers could be deployed.
2. Breakthrough product applications: propose a new use case, either for Vistamaxx polymers as a predominant use material or as a modifier, where Vistamaxx could deliver a competitive edge.

Please note: ExxonMobil is only interested in Vistamaxx use cases that go beyond, replace, or displace non-polyolefinic materials like styrenic block copolymers, nylon, PVC, or others.

Submissions must include a clear link and detailed description between Vistamaxx polymer properties and the performance needs of the proposed use case or market.

Solvers are encouraged to propose disruptive, innovative ideas that may challenge or go beyond current uses of the material, given they provide sufficient detail, sizable market demand with justification, and technical grounding in both property and material matches/improvements.

Solutions rehashing well-known applications of Vistamaxx polymers in adhesives, hygiene, and automotive should offer clearly novel applications of Vistamaxx polymers in non-polyolefinic materials to be competitive.

Solution Requirements

Any successful solution to the Challenge must meet the following must have requirements:

Material-Application fit

• Solvers must propose a novel application/use case or market opportunity matched to the specific properties of Vistamaxx polymers, including:
  1. A clearly articulated use case where a Vistamaxx grade is central to the material solution, either in predominant use or as a modifier,
  2. A detailed description of the characteristic, particularly referencing relevant material properties (e.g. elasticity, strength, flexibility, clarity, sealing performance, etc.),
  3. Specific grade of Vistamaxx polymers proposed and any required, relevant property values (e.g. melt flow rate, density, hardness) that make it suitable,
  4. And confirmed compatibility with the limitations and physical characteristics of Vistamaxx polymers (e.g. temperature, chemical compatibility).

Minimum market potential

• Solvers should propose novel use cases that could result in an estimated demand of at minimum 2 kilotons per annum (KTA) of Vistamaxx polymers being used, either as a modifier or as predominant use. Clearly state any assumptions, sources, or projections used in this estimation.

Specificity of use case and market pressures

• Detail how the addition of Vistamaxx polymers as a modifier, introduction, or displacement of other materials makes it a compelling novel use case or breakthrough application for ExxonMobil. Include descriptions of cost pressures, regulatory shifts, or property improvements over existing/incumbent materials that make Vistamaxx polymers a timely and valuable update.

Things to Avoid/Out of Scope:

ExxonMobil is not interested in the use of Vistamaxx polymers for implantable devices in the medical space.

ExxonMobil is only interested in new markets and breakthrough applications for Vistamaxx polymers that go beyond, replace, or displace non-polyolefinic polymers e.g. polyesters, nylon, PVC, etc. The reason is that the benefits of Vistamaxx polymers against or as a modifier to polyolefinic polymers (like polyethylene and polypropylene) are well known to ExxonMobil. For this reason, submissions that propose only displacing polyethylene or polypropylene will not be considered.

Solutions with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 2-6 are invited.

This Prize Challenge has the following features:

1. By taking part and submitting you are granting ExxonMobil the right to use (but not own) your submitted information, provided that ExxonMobil must determine the award winners within 45 days from the start of evaluation, otherwise ExxonMobil loses this right except for Awarded solutions. You will receive a notification.

2. There will be a guaranteed award of $30,000, with at least one award being $15,000 or more and no award being less than $2,500.

3. Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of your proposal by ExxonMobil against the Solution Requirements.

4. Solvers may:

• • • Submit ideas of their own
    • Submit third-party information that they have the right to use and further, the authority to convey to ExxonMobil this right with the right to use and develop derivative works
    • Submit information considered in the public domain without any limitations on use

5. ExxonMobil may also issue “Honorable Mention” recognitions for notable submissions that are not selected for monetary awards.

Your Submission

Please login and register your interest, to complete the submission form.

The submitted proposals must be written in English and can include:

1. Participation type – you will first be asked to inform us how you are participating in this challenge, as a Solver (Individual) or Solver (Organization).
2. Partnering - there may be an opportunity to partner at the conclusion of this Challenge. Please indicate if partnering is of interest to you.
3. Solution Overview - detail the features of your solution and how they address the SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS, consider including a description of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) (200 words, there is space to add more in the summary field, and attach supporting data, diagrams, etc.).
4. Experience - Expertise, use cases and skills you or your organization have in relation to your proposed solution (up to 200 words).
5. Solution Risks & Uncertainties - outline any risks or uncertainties you see with your solution and describe how you would plan to address them (up to 200 words).
6. Timeline, capability and costs - describe what you think is required to deliver the solution, estimated time and cost (up to 200 words).
7. Online References - provide links to any publications, articles or press releases of relevance (up to 200 words).

Participation Guidance

1. Submission Close Date: Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on MAY 25, 2026.
2. Late submissions: Late submissions will not be considered.
3. Multiple submissions, 3 Maximum: In case of multiple submissions by the same Solver, only 3 submissions – the final 3 submitted – will be considered. Any other submissions will be deleted prior to evaluation.
4. Submission form and attachments: Your submission will be evaluated by the evaluation team first reviewing the information and content you have submitted at the submission form, with attachments used as additional context to your form submission. Submissions relying solely on attachments will receive less attention from the evaluation team.
5. Evaluation notification steps: After the Challenge submission close date, ExxonMobil will review and select the winning ideas/solutions according to the timeline in the Challenge header. Everyone who submits a proposal will be notified about the status of their submissions.
6. Use of AI: Please note that any submissions produced solely with generative AI are not of interest.
7. Learn more: Find out more about participation in Innocentive Challenges.