polymer-center

Commemorating Dennis Hayford

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:46:20 GMT

Dedicating New Sign to Dennis Hayford

Our new Executive Director Tom McHouell commemorates our former Executive Director, Dennis Hayford, by dedicating a new sign in recognition of his outstanding contributions to our company.
Dennis’s vision, leadership, and commitment left a lasting mark on our organization, and this sign serves as a reminder of the standards he set and the legacy he leaves behind. His influence continues to guide us, and we are grateful for the foundation he built.

Leistritz Reactive Extrusion Twin Screw Workshop

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:40:23 GMT

Leistritz Reactive Extrusion Twin Screw Workshop

We’re excited to announce that we will host Leistritz’s 2026 Reactive Extrusion (REX) Workshop —a first-time event to be held at the Polymers Center of Excellence (PCE).

This workshop will combine in-depth classroom sessions with live demonstrations of REX twin screw extrusion systems and analytical testing methods , all conducted at the PCE facility.

We’re proud to provide the space and resources for this hands-on learning opportunity and look forward to welcoming participants to Charlotte.

MFG Con Call for Speakers

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:47:41 GMT

�� Call for Speakers: MFGCON 2026 ��

The North Carolina Manufacturing Conference (MFGCON) is back April 14–15, 2026, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC—and we’re looking for industry leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers to take the stage.

�� Submission Deadline: November 10, 2025 (acceptances on a rolling basis—submit early!)
�� Speaker Perk: Complimentary conference registration

We’re seeking engaging sessions on:
�� Emerging Technology, Innovation & Business Growth
�� Operations Excellence & Continuous Improvement
�� Workforce: From Hiring to Retiring

Suggested topics include AI in manufacturing, automation, robotics, lean and six sigma, safety culture, workforce recruitment, cybersecurity, market expansion, and more.

�� Submit your abstract now: https://ncstateies.com/speakers

Plastic Part Material Selection for Engineers

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:01:55 GMT

Choosing the Right Plastic

Selecting the appropriate plastic material is a complex yet vital factor for project success. This course introduces systematic techniques to simplify the process, guiding you from initial part concept to material selection. We will draw on past project successes by examining parts Jim Brickley has worked on, providing real-world insights into effective material choices. By the end, students will grasp the essential considerations for choosing the right plastic.

Agenda:

-Polymer basics needed for material selection

-Why is picking the right resin early so important

-Time

-Cost

-Failures

-Recalls

-Long Term Failures

-Liabilities

-Four pillars of making parts right the first time.

-CTQ: What does it mean? How do you define it?

-Industry specific needs, certifications, requirements, etc

-Off the shelf resins versus custom compounds

-Effect of additives to dial in the material properties

-Industry specific workout using checklist:

-Automotive

-Sporting Goods/Firearms

-Medical

-Telcom

-Aerospace

-Consumer Products

When : December 9th, 2025 at 11:30 to 2 pm includes (complimentary lunch provided)

Where: Polymer Center of Excellence

Speaker: Jim Brickley - Director of Engineering at Conventus Polymers

Cost: Free

To register: Email Jim Brickley and Marley Persch

jbrickley@conventuspolymers.com and mpersch@conventuspolymers.com

Machine Setting Course SELOGICA/GESTICA

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:02:35 GMT

Operation and processing with

ARBURG injection molding machines with SELOGICA/GESTICA controller

Join us for Arburg’s advance injection molding course focused on the SELOGICA/GESTICA systems. This comprehensive program is designed for professionals in the plastics industry, including machine operators, set-up personnel, and process engineers. Participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for operating and processing with ARBURG injection molding machines equipped with the SELOGICA/GESTICA controller. By enrolling in this course, you will enhance your operational efficiency, master programming techniques, and ultimately contribute to improving production outcomes. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your expertise and drive success in your organization.

Course duration: 3 days

Cost of course: $1200.00

When: Oct 28-30

Where: The Polymers Center, 8900 Research Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262

Documents: Course manual with accompanying texts as a digital version

To register, please send information to:

Alyssa Franco | US Training Coordinator

Direct: 860-667-7431

Email: alyssa_franco@arburg.com

Scott Rains | Regional Sales Manager, Carolinas & TN

Cell: +1 (704) 984-0345

Fax : +1 (860) 667-6524

mail to: scott_rains@arburg.com

Building Resilient Supply Chains: The Power of Domestic Sourcing

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:34:09 GMT

Supplier Matching

Are you struggling to find reliable domestic suppliers? There’s a better way to ensure that your business thrives in today’s unpredictable market. Join KeAnne Hoeg and Eric Taylor ( NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions ) for upcoming webinar to discover the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s supplier program, a game-changing resource designed to connect you with vetted suppliers. This program is essential for reducing risks, enhancing product quality, and fostering a resilient supply chain. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to streamline your operations and drive growth by leveraging trusted domestic partnerships.
For more information and to register for this free event: https://ies.ncsu.edu/event/free-supplier-matching-services/

The Plastics Community Comes Together to Build a New R&D Line at The Polymers Center

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:11:35 GMT

New R&D Line at The Polymers Center

The Polymers Center has taken a significant step forward with the addition of a Leistritz 18mm Twin Screw Extruder. This exciting development was met with enthusiastic support from industry partners—Syncro generously consigned feeders, Maag contributed a pelletizer, and Microban provided an air filter system.

With the new equipment fully set up, The Polymers Center is ready to showcase its enhanced capabilities in developing innovative materials and products.

Blown Film Trial to Evaluate Dispersion

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:12:04 GMT

Blown Film Trial to Evaluate Dispersion

A trial was conducted at The Polymers Center utilizing our Syncro Micro Extruder to assess dispersion in blown film. For further discussion on experimental trials, please contact The Polymers Center.

New Paragraph

The Polymers Center Offers New Extrusion Fundamentals Course

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 20:07:54 GMT

The Polymers Center is excited to announce our new Extrusion Fundamentals course, led by industry expert Scott Lambert . Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals, this comprehensive two-day training offers a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of extrusion principles.

The course combines one day of classroom instruction with one day of hands-on training, ensuring participants gain both theoretical insights and practical experience. Lambert emphasizes a dynamic and interactive learning environment, encouraging attendees to share their perspectives. With professionals from various companies working with different equipment, the diversity of viewpoints enhances the learning experience for all.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as an introduction to various polymer types, molecular weight, and rheology. Our students are learning the extrusion process through an in-depth study of single screw extruders, the behavior of plastics within the extruder, and the extrusion equipment utilized in plastics processing.

Lambert brings extensive expertise in extrusion and instruction. We are thrilled to welcome him and to once again offer this essential extrusion training course . Don’t miss the chance to expand your knowledge and connect with industry peers. Our next course is in August. Secure your spot today!

For more about out training courses, visit our Training page.

A Successful Trial Using 98% Recycled Polymer Material At The Polymers Center

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 18:17:08 GMT

The Polymers Center continues to explore the potential of sustainable materials with another successful trial. This time, the team has produced high-quality pellets from a 98% recycled polymer material.

Contact us to learn about our capabilities in polymers processing and production, our commitment to innovation, and our support of a circular economy.

Specialty Polymer Materials Compounded at The Polymers Center

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:49:54 GMT

The Polymers Center continues to advance the science of specialty polymer materials, producing this unique compound with specialty liquids.

Through precise control of time, temperature, airflow, and water speed, innovative materials are developed to meet industry-specific demands. Every variable plays a crucial role in ensuring product quality. Contact The Polymers Center to learn more about compounding unique materials.

PCE Plastics Symposium 2025: Finding a Way Forward

Sun, 25 May 2025 22:19:14 GMT

PCE Plastics Symposium 2025

Contact The Polymers Center to learn what we are doing to achieve the goal of zero plastics in the waste stream. Or to learn more about our next Plastics Recycling Symposium.

Finding a Way Forward

Throughout the symposium held at The Polymers Center on April 29-30, speakers examined the complexities of plastics recycling and outlined steps to transition from a linear to a circular economy—where all plastics are continually reused rather than discarded in the landfill. This means a future with static virgin plastic production, and where discarded plastic is recovered into new products that are just as good as the originals.

Hurdles to Overcome

This dream is full of obstacles. One major challenge is the sheer variety of plastics used in making a single product. Take a simple water bottle, for example: the bottle, cap, and label are often composed of three different plastics, requiring additional processing steps in recycling facilities. Add in the issue of colors — we all know corporate branding relies on distinct packaging--and recycling becomes even more complicated.

Public participation is a critical key factor. Better recycling habits—proper collection, cleaning, and sorting—would certainly increase the amount of plastic successfully recycled. This requires a small sacrifice of convenience, which, up to now, we have been reluctant to undertake. One obvious conclusion is that we must care enough about protecting ourselves and our environment to embrace the additional costs and effort required to make this change.

Corporate responsibility also plays a significant role. Branding influences consumer choices, and companies prioritize packaging aesthetics to catch our attention. Jeff Smithberger, Mecklenburg County’s Director of Waste, proposed a thought-provoking idea: If all plastics were manufactured in a neutral color and branding was limited to labels, the recycling process would become significantly easier. The question remains—would businesses agree to such a shift, or would they perceive it as a competitive disadvantage?

And then we return to the public. Would consumers reward companies that commit to recycling processes? If the public was given clear information on which brands prioritized sustainability, would we make purchasing decisions accordingly? Could consumer preference encourage businesses to take responsibility for their products from creation to end-of-life disposal?

A Future We Can Build

The vision of zero plastics in the waste stream may seem unattainable and the obstacles insurmountable. But if there is one defining trait of Americans, it is our ability to find the uniquely American way to make things happen. Yes, as Americans, we value our independence, our brands, and our way of doing things. But more importantly, we are innovative, adaptable, and resilient. Our approach may differ from other nations, but history shows that when we set our minds to something, we find a way.

PCE Plastics Recycling Symposium: A Collaborative Push for Sustainable Solutions

Tue, 13 May 2025 19:01:10 GMT

A Collaborative Push for Sustainable Solutions for Plastics

Insights from Industry Experts

The first three presentations introduced fundamental concepts in sustainability and waste management:

Daniel Shoemaker, a professor at the University of Illinois , defined sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This definition is clear and insightful.

Rodney Jamison, head of Charlotte's Solid Waste Services , detailed the complexities of waste collection in a large urban area. He considered what would be needed to increase plastic collection capacity, which would include acquiring new trucks or converting old ones.

Jeff Smithberger, Director of Waste for Mecklenburg County , described the massive scale of operations that includes handling hundreds of thousands of tons of trash at the county’s Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs). At these facilities, plastics are sorted and bundled - a challenging task due to the variety of material types, colors, and additives found in plastic waste.

Innovative Recycling Technologies

Several equipment manufacturers presented solutions designed to overcome challenges in plastic recycling:

Matthew Everhart of Stadler discussed their technologies for materials separation.

Tobias Eder of Sesotec offered insight into their sorting, separation, and purification equipment.

Andy Johnson of KW Plastics presented processes for mechanical recycling.

Tamsin Ettefagh of PureCycle introduced ‘dissolution’, a physical process which removes contaminants from plastics, leaving a pure, clean material.

Dana Darley of NGR highlighted material recovery - from size reduction of the plastic waste to contamination removal, densification, and then finally extrusion.

Darley also emphasized that producer responsibility should extend beyond the final product to include the waste generated during the manufacturing process.

PLASTICS RECYCLING SYMPOSIUM 2025

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:31:13 GMT

PCE PLASTICS RECYCLING SYMPOSIUM 2025

THE PATH TO GETTING PLASTICS OUT OF THE WASTE STREAM

Getting Manufacturing Partners, Scientists, Government Officials, And Academicians Together

To Discuss The Transformation Of Plastic Waste.

APRIL 29-30, 2025

THE POLYMERS CENTER

CHARLOTTE, NC

Plastics Recycling - From Collection To Reuse

Speakers

International Plastics Equipment Suppliers Expanding To The US

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:11:21 GMT

Strategic US Expansion Opportunity For International Equipment Suppliers To The Polymer & Plastics Industry

The Nesting Program At The Polymers Center Spotlighted In Plastics News

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:29:11 GMT

Plastics News Highlights The Polymers Center's Nesting Program

Check out our recent article in Plastics News about our new Nesting Program. We are excited to open our facility to companies interested in expanding into the US market. Our expansion, set to be complete in December, includes 12,000 sq/ft and six new offices - five of which are being set aside to home any company wishing to make our location their domestic office. Contact us to learn more.

New Paragraph

The Polymers Center Assists Training Of Maag Staff At Their Annual Sales Meeting

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:15:44 GMT

The Polymers Center Hosts Maag’s Annual Sales Meeting

In early December, more than twenty-five members of the Maag sales and technical team discussed their plans for the upcoming year and enjoyed some of the advantages provided by the staff of the Polymers Center.

In the Extrusion Lab , the Maag team got their collective hands dirty using some of the company’s equipment that is integral to the extrusion process. They experienced first-hand the versatility in performing R&D test compounding, including different screw designs, film dies, underwater and strand pelletizers. From there they got into the materials science lab , where they utilized the tools used in materials evaluation.

The Polymers Center welcomes all machinery vendors to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by hands-on experience in a real-world production center. Contact The Polymers Center to learn more about training plastics professionals at our facility or yours.

A Big ‘Thank You’ To Everyone Who Attended Our Open House

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:06:20 GMT

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for our Open House at The Polymers Center, celebrating the grand opening of our new building.

About Our Open House

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:05:20 GMT

About Our Open House

Please contact Daeng at 704-602-4100 or dhawkins@polymers-center.org to RSVP for the Open House and dinner.

We look forward to seeing everyone at The Polymers Center on Tuesday, February 11th!

The SPE Carolinas Polymer Business Showcase

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:10:44 GMT

Join us at The Polymers Center for a networking opportunity for plastics manufacturers and suppliers. This event featuring a group of distinguished exhibitors allows industry leaders to connect.

Come for the Business Showcase and stay for The Polymers Center Open House , celebrating the Grand Opening of our new expansion. Dinner will be provided.

To register for the Business Showcase, click here.

Interested in exhibiting at the Business Showcase? Learn more

Exhibit At The Carolinas Polymer Business Showcase

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:20:34 GMT

Interested In Exhibiting At The Carolinas Polymer Business Showcase Hosted by SPE Carolinas Section?

Click here to select your sponsorship level and register.

The Polymers Foundation Is Proud To Announce Sarah Kim As The First Recipient Of The Joe Bennett Leadership Award

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 19:22:32 GMT

Sarah Kim - The First Recipient Of The Joe Bennett Leadership Award

Congratulations to Sarah Kim for being honored as the first recipient of the Joseph Young "Joe" Bennett Leadership Award and receiving a scholarship for her studies in Mechanical Engineering.

The goal of the Polymers Foundation, an extension of The Polymers Center, is to encourage, empower, and invest in the advancement of the polymers industry. Providing educational opportunities to people interested in entering the field is one of the most important efforts of the foundation - as well as, supporting the objective of promoting scientific knowledge and advancing technology.

Assisting Students Advance In Their Study Of The Sciences

“We have partnered with UNCC, as well as other community colleges to help fund the education of potential plastics professionals. By investing in relationships and people, we can improve opportunities, access to research, and education. We take this charge very seriously,” states Phil Shoemaker, Director of The Polymers Foundation.

The Joe Bennett Leadership Award

The Polymers Center established the Joseph Young "Joe" Bennett Leadership Award in 2023 to celebrate and carry forward Joe Bennett’s tremendous legacy and contributions to the plastics industry. In September 2024, the Polymers Foundation awarded their first scholarship to Sarah Kim, a Mechanical Engineering student at UNC Charlotte.

Recipient Of The Joe Bennett Award: Sarah Kim, BSME '26

Sarah Kim is a junior pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in biomedical engineering from the William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte. Her passion for math and science drives her interest in the field, as she aspires to use these skills to design innovations that can positively impact the world. Sarah is also involved in the Engineering Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop future engineering leaders.

The Polymers Foundation is proud to offer this award and funding to Sarah Kim. The foundation would also like to thank the generous patrons who gift the organization with monetary donations, as well as machinery, apparatus, and instrumentation. If you are a student interested in the scholarship, a patron interested in donating, or want to know more about the Polymers Foundation, please contact Phil Shoemaker at pshoemaker@polymers-center.org or 704-602-4100.

The Polymers Center And NCEdge - Customized Technical Training For NC Manufacturing Companies

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:22:15 GMT

Technical Training For NC Manufacturing Companies By NCEdge And The Polymers Center

Amy Epley, Regional Director at NCEdge and a group of 12 Training Directors from North Carolina’s community colleges joined 14 representatives from various plastics-related companies at The Polymers Center for an industrial training forum. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the group to The Polymers Center and the opportunities available through the non-profit organization.

After a brief presentation by Phil Shoemaker, Executive Director of The Polymers Center, all attendees were taken on tour of the facility and presented with the center’s capabilities in the polymers sector, including training, materials testing, injection molding, extrusion and compounding.

NCEdge, a part of the NC Community College System is a state-sponsored program that provides technical training in production or production support to North Carolina manufacturing businesses. Courses are customized to meet the specific needs of a company.

Contact The Polymers Center to learn more about training your staff. The goal of The Polymers Center and NCEdge is to help companies prosper and grow. Ask about available state funds for training of all kinds.

The Polymers Center Gets A New Primo 60 E Strand Pelletizer

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:29:27 GMT

New Strand Pelletizer Added To Our Lab

Thanks to our partners at Maag, we are happy to add a new Primo 60 E Strand Pelletizer to our lab. This new piece of equipment allows us the opportunity to add the latest in pelletizing technology for our customers.

Sesotec Opens New Office At The Polymers Center Facility

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 18:49:55 GMT

Sesotec is excited to announce their new office location within The Polymer Center in Charlotte, NC.

Equipment has been readied for customer trials, training, and knowledge of product inspection in the Plastics Industry.

Sesotec is a global leader in industrial sorting technology and contaminant removal, specializing in machines and systems for the following industries: Plastics, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Recycling, and Food.

Sesotec's products include: Metal Detection Systems, Metal Separation Systems, Magnet Systems, X-ray Inspection Systems, Sorting Systems, and Analysis Systems.

Headquartered in Schoenberg, Germany, with a US Office in Bartlett, IL. The US office provides Parts, Service and Engineering support throughout North and South America.

For more information, please feel free to contact

Patrick Sommers

Sesotec, Inc.

Mobile: (224)633-8896

Email: Patrick.Sommers@sesotec.com

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:52:33 GMT

In May 1848, Henry Bewley, of the Gutta Percha Company of London, patented a process for making flexible syringes and tubes of gutta percha. He described the process as one that involved “filling a suitable mold with a substance in a granular state,” after which he would “subject these molds to a heat sufficient to liquefy the gutta percha, which on subsequent cooling will be found to retain the exact shape or figure of the molds.” [1] His company went on to make various molded and, later, extruded products, including wire coating for submarine cables. One example of his molding process is a coat of arms, pictured below, that resembled “the choicest carved or gilded oak, rosewood, or mahogany,” but was not fashioned by a skilled artist. Instead, it was manufactured “by merely pressing the ungainly lumps into a mold.” With such a mold, thousands of identical products could be manufactured “without the usual expense of artist work.” [2]

None of this happened outside its social context. All across Great Britian small, often one-family shops opened, first making clocks, then instruments of various kinds, usually in brass. They gave rise to larger organizations, like Bewley’s gutta percha company, all of which profited from a steady demand for their products. [7] So successful were those shops that the Danes, by the end of the century, sought to duplicate them in Denmark, while the Americans, led by Francis Cabot Lowell and Thomas Attwood Digges, stole, replicated, and recruited British technology over a period of decades in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries. [8] Denmark, with its small population and scant resources, never developed into a machining powerhouse. But here in the US, with its abundant resources and constantly swelling population, the industry soon matched, then overtook the British in machine development.

And just as the small, often family-based British machining companies found in the midlands a quarter-millennia ago flourished and grew, so too dd their heirs—the small, often family-based mold-makers or molders of the mid twentieth century in the US. From a tiny beginning in 1929, the sixty or so independent molders here grew to 434 today. The common trait shared by these early adopters was their ability to manufacture their own molds and develop their own technology. [9] The growth of the independent contract molders, a number that does not include those captive operations inside larger concerns, bears witness to the constant improvement of our industry over time. [10] Today over 33,000 people are involved in the plastics industry that produces over 16 billion dollars of exports, In North Carolina alone. They were, and are, the principal reason that the Polymers Center exists, and will continue to serve them through their mission to “support, maintain, and encourage” our industry.

[1] US Patent Office, Patent no. 5589, May 23, 1848. The patent literature is extensive. See, Eugene F. A. Obach, “Gutta Percha,” Journal for the Society of Arts, XLVI (January 1898): 169-197.

[2] David Bartlett, London by Day and Night; or, Men and Things in the Great Metropolis, (New York: Hurst & Company, 1852), 58.

[3] https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co9687/gutta-percha-armorial-moulding-1850-1900-coat-of-arms

[4] https://thedailygardener.org/ota20200704/

[5] J. L. White, “Pioneers of Polymer Processing Charles Hancock—The First Thermoplastics Processing Innovator”, International Polymer Processing XIII (1998): 230. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.3139/217.980230/html?lang=en

[6] Simon Winchester, The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2018), 50-52, 74-78.

[7] A. D. Morrison-Low, Making Scientific Instruments in the Industrial Revolution, (London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2007), 36-46.

[8] https://www.history.com/news/industrial-revolution-spies-europe

[9] Jeffey L. Meikle, American Plastic, A Cultural History (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1995), 92-98.

[10] https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/contract-injection-molding-manufacturing-united-states/

Our Arburg Allrounder Injection Molding Machine Is Now Up And Running

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:34:10 GMT

Daniel Mueller, an Application Engineer at Arburg started up The Polymers Center’s new Arburg Allrounder 520A a couple weeks ago. Also in attendance were Mike Loden and Matt Loden from Aptar Lincolnton.

We appreciate the efforts of the group and are happy to have the molder now available for our customers. Contact us to learn more.

Pelletizing Low Durometer Material with The Polymers Center’s New Econ Lab Unit EWA10 - Underwater and Air Pelletizer

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 14:16:14 GMT

Pelletizing Low Durometer Material with The Polymers Center’s New Econ Lab Unit EWA10 - Underwater and Air Pelletizer

The Polymers Center has become a long-time partner of a major synthetic fiber manufacturer to compound TPU . The material produced by the team is low durometer and presents a problem when strand pelletizing. In the past, strand cutting was the only option the Polymers Center had for cutting these materials. If there is any wear on the bed knife or blades, it is very difficult to get a clean cut with this method. In addition to the cut quality the material would block together after cutting.

With The Polymers Center’s assistance, the manufacturer has been able to pelletize the soft material using the center’s Econ underwater pelletizer. This method not only cuts the material as needed, but also cools it more effectively. In addition, we can treat the water to help prevent blocking of the pellets.

Contact The Polymers Center to learn more about how we can expand your capabilities and assist in improved your products and processes.

Arburg’s Potential Expansion

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 15:58:43 GMT

Arburg’s motto is “Wir sind da,” by which they mean, “quality, reliability and personal proximity.”

In keeping their desire for proximity, they have decided to build a new assembly facility in North America. As a long-standing partner for Arburg, The Polymers Center made no secret of their desire for Arburg to locate their new facility in North Carolina, given their close relationship. They quickly volunteered to help by connecting the team from Arburg with EDPNC, IES, The Charlotte Business Alliance, and the Charlotte headquarters of CBRE, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world.

On August 2 ^nd , the interested parties attended a meeting that brought together the following associates to contribute to the expansion conversation:

· Rob Horton, Charlotte Business Alliance

· Solange Tricanowicz, Business Recruitment Manager Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC

· Jennifer D. Fielder, PhD, Regional Manager, North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)

· Frank Larsen, First Vice President, Advisory & Transaction Services, CBRE

· Ben Lucas, Associate, Advisory & Transaction Services, CBRE

· Compie Newman President of the Charlotte Office, CBRE

· Philip S. Shoemaker, PhD, Director, PCE

· Bill Murphy, Technical Associate, PCE

· Martin Baumann, President of North American Operations, Arburg

· Guido Frohnhaus - Managing Director Technology / Operations, Arburg

· Siegfried Finkbeiner - Manufacturing Manager, Arburg

· Jannik Schmitt - Project Manager Oversea Plant, Arburg

· Christine Wacker - Project Manager Internationalization, Arburg

· Claudia McIntyre – CFO, Arburg USA

· Scott Rains, Head of Sales, Southeastern Region-Arburg.

During the meeting, the Arburg group had the opportunity to discuss available locations, the local workforce, transportation services, tax incentives, and the advantages that North Carolina offers in quality of life. The Polymers Center was happy to facilitate the exchange of information and looks forward to the next step in the process in the hope that they may one day welcome Arburg to North Carolina.

The Polymers Center Adds Microex Cast and Blown Machines to Extrusion Lab

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:23:39 GMT

The Polymers Center Adds Microex Cast and Blown Machines to Extrusion Lab

The Polymers Center is excited about the addition of a Microex Cast and a Microex Blown machine to our Extrusion Lab. Syncro’s Microex Cast and Microex Blown are part of a compact line of pilot lab technology designed to aid in the quality control of polymer materials, with low material consumption and less waste.

The films produced with the Microex Cast machine can be used for mechanical properties testing, visual evaluation, assessment of processability, and for color matching of polymers, compounds, masterbatches and recycled materials.

The Microex Blown machine can create samples of tubular film with extremely small dimensions. Equipped with a single screw extruder of 17.5 mm, it is designed for evaluating recycled materials, color masterbatches, additives and bio-polymers.

The Polymers Center team is in the process of setting up these two new machines. Contact us to learn more about running trials using this new technology.

Extrusion of Sheet Elastomer Using A New Formulation

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:28:14 GMT

Burlington Medical Collaborates With The Polymers Center To Improve Performance Of Radiation Protection Products.

Ever had an x-ray at the dentist’s office and had a covering laid on your chest to protect you from radiation? Chances are this covering was made by Burlington Medical, who designs, develops, and manufactures radiation protection garments for hospitals, health clinics, labs, and radiology facilities. They also sell products such as x-ray aprons, vests, drapes, and curtains, to both the domestic and international markets, having the largest market share in radiation protection worldwide.

Burlington continuously works to improve the performance and comfort of their radiation protection products. Their on-going process of developing new formulations is designed to make the garments safer, lighter, and more flexible, as well as more visually appealing. This is where The Polymers Center comes in.

Collaboration With The Polymers Center

R&D scientists from Burlington Medical work together with engineers from The Polymers Center to make new formulations for their lead-free aprons and other radiation-shielding materials. The latest trial produced a new sheet elastomers with enhanced shielding properties and better aesthetic appearance.

One of the scientists involved in this project has worked with The Polymers Center multiple times with different clients over the past several years. She states, “We work with The Polymers Center for easy set-up of trials. They are very accommodating and very helpful in the development of new formulations. We come here for proof of concept.”

A chemist from Burlington Medical maintains that The Polymers Center is very reliable, saying, “We always seem to get what we are after. We get done what we need even when we are limited on time. The people at PCE have lots of experience and knowledge. If we have a gap in knowledge, The Polymers Center can help fill it.”

As with Burlington Medical, The Polymers Center can help your company in testing new polymers, polymer composites and new formulations. Contact us to learn more about how we can augment your capabilities and assist in developing new and improved products.

Testing On Our Instron 3366

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:38:10 GMT

Testing On Our Instron 3366

This one stretched a long way on our Instron 3366 Testing Frame.

The Instron 3366 evaluates materials for tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and modulus.

The engineers in our lab perform custom testing to meet your company’s needs.

Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop wraps up with hands-on training at The Polymers Center.

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:34:27 GMT

Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop Wraps Up With Hands-On Training At The Polymers Center.

A huge thank you to Team Leistritz Extrusion Technology for hosting the hugely successful Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop at The Polymers Center. We wrapped up the workshop with demonstrations and hands-on training on screw nomenclature, screw assembly and disassembly, and extrusion systems. We'd also like to thank all of the attendees and speakers. We hope you will join us next time.

Charlie Martin of Leistritz kicks off the Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop today at The Polymers Center.

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 18:59:41 GMT

Charlie Martin of Leistritz kicks off the Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop today at The Polymers Center.

Two day workshop with 46 attendees, the largest crowd we have ever had at The Center.

Other presenters: Brian Haight and Bill Novak, both from Leistritz, Rob Jerman from Extrusion Tech & Innovations, Juerg Hassler from The Polymers Center and Eli Santiago from the Maag Group.

Announcing The Startup Of Our New Maag/Gala Model 6 Pelletizer

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 16:46:37 GMT

Excited to announce the startup of our new Maag/Gala Model 6 Pelletizer attached to our new 40mm Maxx Leistritz twin screw.

Another Successful Blown Film Trial

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:46:49 GMT

Another successful blown film trial using our 2” diameter single layer blown film die on our 1-1/2” Single Screw extruder.

New Paragraph

New Maag PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer At The Polymers Center

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:46:01 GMT

New Maag PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer At The Polymers Center

The Polymers Center is pleased to announce a new addition to our production and lab lines. Our partners at the Maag Group have graciously consigned a PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer to The Polymer Center. With throughputs up to 3,000 lbs/hr and a dual drive allowing for easy changes on pellet length and weight, this is a great addition to our new Leistriz 40mm Extrusion line . A special thanks to Maag’s Paul Merich, Bill Gunn, Rommel Mayer and Alex Helm. Pictured with Bill Murphy, Technical Associate at The Polymers Center is our newest team member, Juerg Hassler. Juerg is excited about using this PRIMOPlus 200 for his future training classes here at the Center.

Contact us at The Polymers Center to learn more about our new pelletizer, our production capabilities, and our training courses .

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:05:47 GMT

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

The Development of the Mold and the Gutta Percha Revolution

The mold in question, however, begs explanation, for although the products produced from it might number in the thousands, and while the per-part cost was accordingly reduced, still it required the expense of skilled artisans. The difference was these artisans were not artists, rather were craftspeople who came from the machining industry — now known as tool and die makers. Not to discount the necessary components of both material and molding machine, but the heart of that molding process lies in the mold, the history of which is more difficult to trace than the machines used to inject it. Casting and molding may share a common ancestor from the distant past, one that extends back roughly five thousand years, but for our purposes the high speed, repeatable, and high-volume molding process is relatively new. It too, seems to owe its origin to the gutta percha revolution, because in 1846, Charles Hancock, also of the Gutta Percha Company, published an English patent, no. 11,208, that described the mold in detail, including vents for outgassing entrapped air and a method of injecting air for blow molding. [3]

The Birth of Precision-Machining

Those machinists, who in this case remain unnamed, formed part of a class of workers who could trace their origins back only a couple of generations, back to John Wilkinson’s cannon-boring machine, first patented in 1774, which vastly improved the accuracy of the bore. Upon ordering one of James Watt’s steam engines, Wilkinson came to realize that the cylinders utilized in Watt’s engine suffered from the same deficiencies as the Admiralty’s cannon, namely, an appalling lack of precision. So, for the cylinder utilized in his steam engine, he adapted his boring machine to Watt’s thirty-six-inch cylinder blank, chaining it down and then ratcheted forward his rotating boring tool. He achieved an accuracy of .010”, which was stunning for his time, spawning the concept of precision-machining and spurring the development of machine tools. Wilkinson’s boring machine was just one of several contemporaneous inventions that formed the basis of the precision industry — the lathe, precision screw, and dividing engine being among the others. Failure may be an orphan, in this case however, the steady growth of precision machining has multiple fathers —Jesse Ramsden, who invented a screw-making machine and also perfected a dividing engine that scribed exact divisions onto brass mural circles for use by astronomers, and Henry Maudslay, whose iron lathe improved the accuracy of machined parts by an order of magnitude, and whose micrometer, named the “Lord Chancellor,” was capable of measuring down to .001”. [4]

The Spread of Machine Tools Around The Globe

None of this happened outside its social context. All across Great Britian small, often one-family shops opened, first making clocks, then instruments of various kinds, usually in brass. They gave rise to larger organizations, like Bewley’s Gutta Percha Company, all of which profited from a steady demand for their products. [5] So successful were those shops that the Danes, by the end of the century, sought to duplicate them in Denmark, while the Americans, led by Francis Cabot Lowell and Thomas Attwood Digges, stole, replicated, and recruited British technology over a period of decades in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries. [6] Denmark, with its small population and scant resources, never developed into a machining powerhouse. But in the US, with its abundant resources and constantly swelling population, the industry soon matched, then overtook the British in machine development.

And just as the small, often family-based British machining companies found in the midlands a quarter-millennia ago flourished and grew, so too did their heirs — the small, often family-based mold-makers or molders of the mid twentieth century in the US. From a tiny beginning in 1929, the sixty or so independent molders here grew to 434 today. The common trait shared by these early adopters was their ability to manufacture their own molds and develop their own technology. [7] The growth of the independent contract molders, a number that does not include those captive operations inside larger concerns, bears witness to the constant improvement of our industry over time. [8]

The Plastics Industry Today

Today over 33,000 people are involved in the plastics industry that produces over 16 billion dollars of exports, In North Carolina alone. They were, and are, the principal reason that The Polymers Center exists, and will continue to serve them through their mission to “support, maintain, and encourage” our industry. Contact us at The Polymers Center to learn more about our injection molding capabilities and how we can help your company.

Footnotes:

Main Image: Armorial Molding of coat of arms, from gutta percha c. 1850.

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co9687/gutta-percha-armorial-moulding-1850-1900-coat-of-arms

[1] US Patent Office, Patent no. 5589, May 23, 1848. The patent literature is extensive. See, Eugene F. A. Obach, “Gutta Percha,” Journal for the Society of Arts, XLVI (January 1898): 169-197.

[2] David Bartlett, London by Day and Night; or, Men and Things in the Great Metropolis, (New York: Hurst & Company, 1852), 58.

[3] J. L. White, “Pioneers of Polymer Processing Charles Hancock—The First Thermoplastics Processing Innovator”, International Polymer Processing XIII (1998): 230. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.3139/217.980230/html?lang=en

[4] Simon Winchester, The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World, (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2018), 50-52, 74-78.

[5] A. D. Morrison-Low, Making Scientific Instruments in the Industrial Revolution, (London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2007), 36-46.

[6] https://www.history.com/news/industrial-revolution-spies-europe

[7] Jeffey L. Meikle, American Plastic, A Cultural History (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1995), 92-98.

[8] https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/contract-injection-molding-manufacturing-united-states/

The Polymers Center Celebrates 25 Years Of Supporting The Plastics Industry

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:37:04 GMT

The Polymers Center Celebrates 25 Years Of Supporting The Plastics Industry

Since its beginning in 1998, The Polymers Center has supported, maintained, and encouraged companies in the polymers industry. This year, The Polymers Center is proud to celebrate its 25 ^th Anniversary.

The Beginning Of The Polymers Center - Help For A Growing Industry
During the late 1980s, the Carolinas Section of the SPE, the Society of the Plastics Industry, and the American Plastics Council held a series of legislative receptions for the North Carolina state government in Raleigh. During these sessions it became plain that if the state were to be helpful to the growing plastics sector of their economy, they would need to invest in capital equipment and give such an institution a home. Paul Cowgill of NC IES, Joe Bennett of United Southern, and Charles Case, attorney, met and began the long process of organizing and funding what would become The Polymers Center, first termed the Polymers Extension Program or PEP.

New Location, New Equipment, Top Level Expertise
In the mid-1990s, IES hired Robert L. van Brederode, PhD, from the NC Department of Commerce, to lead the effort. Bob managed to get the institution incorporated in October 1998 as The Polymers Center of Excellence, Inc. and located it in the Cameron Research Center on the Charlotte, NC campus of UNCC. That solution worked badly, however, since the building was never designed to house processing machines like extruders, and nobody could explain where visitors were to park. Two years later, The Polymers Center moved across I-85 to its present location at 8900 Research Dr., where it occupied less than half of the building which it shared with the building’s owner, Saratoga Technologies. At the time, the center had a Theysohn 45mm twin screw and a Gala Model 6, both on consignment, and a 1” single screw extruder.

Staff in the Extrusion Department at the time consisted of two people, one of which was Tom McHouell; the same person that heads the Extrusion Department today. According to Tom, “We would run a couple trials a month initially for either Gala or outside industry partners. We spent more time writing reports than running machines. Our testing capabilities consisted of Tensile/Elongation Flex mod, Izod Impact, HDT Vicat, Shore A and Shore D Hardness, Melt Flow, QUV and DSC/TGA, and some microscopy capabilities as well.”

Expanding The Center’s Capabilities
In 2001, Dennis L. Hayford became Executive Director and brought with him a focus on industrial revenue and product development trials. One can trace the growth of PCE’s extrusion capabilities back to The Polymers Center earliest experimental trial, which ultimately led to a successful outcome and a happy customer. The unique business model, which is to run trials and developmental work only on condition of non-disclosure agreements, led to further experimental, and eventually larger-scale developmental, work. The center became ISO 9001:2000 certified in 2002. A 21mm lab compounder and a 50mm Maxx Leistritz with an Automatik pelletizer were purchased four years later. That same year, PCE purchased its building and the surrounding 20 acres of land and began renovating the building to support their needs.

Even With Impressive Growth, Our Goal Remains The Same
Director Hayford retired in 2014 and the next year, Philip S. Shoemaker, PhD, took over. Since that time the number of machines has tripled in all departments—leading to some infrastructure challenges. To accommodate those demands, the center will double the compounding development area in 2024. Despite its rapid growth, however, one thing has not changed. The mission of The Polymers Center to “support, maintain, and encourage” the polymers industry in the state of North Carolina remains.

The Polymers Center Facility Is Highlighted In Bloomberg Businessweek Video Interview

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:51:17 GMT

The Polymers Center Facility Is Highlighted In Bloomberg Businessweek Interview

The Polymers Center is honored to be the backdrop of a Bloomberg Businessweek interview featuring Kevin Callahan, Chief Operating Officer of BP Polymers LLC. On September 29, Bloomberg published an article about PFAS and the containers in which they are used. The video interview was a follow-up to that article and highlighted Kortrax® BR, a compound produced by BP Polymers that is an economically viable and safe alternative to fluorinated HDPE. The video was taped at The Polymers Center and includes a guided tour of the center’s facility, as well as discussion with Yiro Shimabukuro, Manager of the Polymer Center of Excellence Lab, and Tom McHouell, President at the Polymer Technology Center.

The Polymers Technology Center is where BP Polymers produces Kortrax® Barrer Resin for their Baritainers® containers. Raw components come into the center and Tom McHouell’s production team manufactures the compound. Yiro Shimabukuro in the testing lab performs quality and developmental work for BP Polymers. Kevin, from BP Polymers stated, “Yiro’s lab facility is impressive and his team very

knowledgeable regarding polymer chemistry. Yiro has been instrumental in helping Chris and I in continually improving Kortrax.”

The Polymers Center is proud to appear in Bloomberg and we are happy to be working with BP Polymers and their innovative alternative to fluorinated containers. At the Polymers Center, we are proud of our facility and capabilities. Nowhere else in the country will you find an organization like ours. It is a community of plastics experts with the right tools to help companies by exchanging ideas, discussing challenges, and solving problems. Contact us to learn more about our capabilities.

The Polymers Center Presents Three Experts In The Recycling Arena

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:44:58 GMT

Last week, The Polymers Center welcomed three speakers from Technip Energies, T.EN Zimmer GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany - Stefan Deiss, Head of Product Management and R&D, Dr. Willi Smolan, Product Manager Polymers, and Dr. David Wilkes, Product Manager Polymers.

As experts in the field of polymer technologies, they presented the latest innovations and information about the development and production of bio-based raw materials for polymers, bio-polymers, and the recycling or recovery of bio-modified polymers.

Deiss spoke about the advancements that Technip has made in waste recovery, highlighting his company’s research and development capabilities. He reviewed their leading proprietary technologies that include polyamides, polyesters, biopolymers and co-polymers, and finally, recycling for PET and PA6.

Dr. Smolan’s presentation, titled, “Biodegradable Polyester and Biobased Monomer Technologies,” discussed the current state of end-of-life plastics recycling and what the future holds in the journey to a low-carbon society. He broke down the world’s ability to replace petroleum-based products and examined the properties of several alternative biodegradable materials.

Dr. Wilkes spoke about, “Industrial Scale Recovery of Caprolactam from Polyamide Waste.” In his presentation, he discussed polyamide solid waste recycling and caprolactam recovery techniques, comparing mechanical recycling to chemical recycling.

Live and remote participants were able to learn about creating a circular path for all types of plastics. After the presentations, participants were able to discuss their own experiences, ask questions and review challenges. “It’s a rare opportunity to be able to learn from an expert the caliber of Deiss, much less from three top individuals in the field. Brainstorming with specialists like these is extremely beneficial, and something that happens regularly at the Polymers Center,” stated Phil Shoemaker, Executive Director of The Polymers Center.

The Polymers Center is pleased to offer opportunities to professionals in the polymers industry to advance their knowledge by learning from top experts through industry presentations, workshops, and courses. Contact us to learn more about what we have to offer.

Are Polymers In Our Daily Routine?

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:21:59 GMT

How Do We Interact With Polymers?

Polymers are everywhere in our daily lives, from the plastics in our appliances and gadgets to the fibers in our clothes. In fact, it's hard to imagine modern life without polymers. A polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits.

Natural polymers can be found in countless products we use every day. Here are a few examples of how we interact with polymers in our daily lives.

Plastic Use

Firstly, plastics are one of the most common types of polymers we encounter every day. Plastic bags, containers, and packaging materials are ubiquitous and convenient for storage and transportation.

The versatility of plastics allows them to be used in a variety of products, including toys, furniture, and electronics. However, plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue. There are efforts underway to reduce plastic waste by promoting recycling and alternative materials.

Clothes & Polymers

Secondly, polymers are also commonly found in fabrics and textiles. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and spandex are widely used in clothing, bedding, and other textiles. These fibers offer benefits like durability, elasticity, and resistance to wrinkles and stains. However, some people prefer natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk, which are biodegradable and may be more comfortable to wear.

Paint Use

Finally, polymers are used in a variety of other products, including adhesives, paints, and coatings. Adhesives like superglue and epoxy rely on polymers to create strong bonds between materials. Paints and coatings often use polymers to improve durability, resistance to weather and wear, and other performance characteristics.

In conclusion, we interact with polymers every day, whether we're using plastics, wearing synthetic fabrics, or using adhesives and coatings. While polymers have many benefits, they also pose challenges to our environment, and efforts are underway to reduce waste and promote sustainable alternatives. As consumers, we can make choices that support these efforts, like recycling, choosing natural fibers, and seeking out products made from eco-friendly materials.

Contact Us!

The Polymers Center can be a valuable resource if you are looking for polymer training or product testing services. The Polymers Center is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of services to the polymer industry, including product testing and training.

From basic polymer science to advanced processing techniques, we offer a variety of training courses to meet the needs of individuals and businesses in the polymer industry. The Polymers Center also offers product testing services to assist businesses in evaluating and improving their products. Our cutting-edge testing facilities include, among other things, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and microscopy.

To learn more about the training and product testing services offered by the Polymers Center, you can visit their website or contact them directly. Their experienced team can help you identify the services that are most relevant to your needs and provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals.

Understanding Polymers and Polymer Materials

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:55:54 GMT

Understanding Polymers and Polymer Materials

Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating units called monomers. These molecules can be naturally occurring, such as proteins and DNA, or synthetic, like nylon and polyethylene. The unique properties of polymers make them ideal for a wide range of applications, from flexible packaging materials to tough, impact-resistant composites.

In fact, many everyday objects, including water bottles, car tires, and electronics, rely on polymer materials. The versatility and customizability of polymers have made them a crucial component of modern materials science and engineering.

Scientists and engineers continue to develop new and innovative polymer materials with enhanced properties and improved sustainability, shaping the future of materials technology.

Polymer Engineer vs Polymer Scientist

The main difference between a polymer engineer and a polymer scientist lies in their focus and job responsibilities. A polymer engineer typically works in engineering and is responsible for designing, developing, and improving products and processes that utilize polymers.

They use their knowledge of materials science, chemistry, and engineering principles to create practical solutions for real-world problems. In contrast, a polymer scientist is primarily focused on research and development.

These scientists may work in government or industry. and are responsible for conducting experiments and analyzing data to understand polymers' behavior and properties better.

They often work to discover new materials or improve existing ones and may collaborate with engineers to apply their findings to practical applications.

While polymer engineers and scientists have expertise in polymers, their specific roles and job responsibilities may differ.

Education

Obtaining a robust educational background in the field is essential to embark on a career in polymers. In addition to a solid foundation in chemistry, engineering, and physics, those seeking to specialize in polymers should also take materials science and polymer chemistry courses.

These educational components are crucial in allowing individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to understand polymers' properties and behavior. A deep understanding of these elements is vital in positioning oneself to identify and develop novel polymers for various industrial applications readily.

Pursuing high-level education in polymers and materials science will undoubtedly serve as an ideal foundation for success in this exciting and rapidly growing field.

Polymer Science and Engineering

Polymer science and engineering is a multifaceted field that plays a crucial role in various industries, such as packaging, automotive, textiles, and biomedicine. It involves studying and manipulating polymers, which are long-chain molecules made up of repeating units.

The field encompasses various research areas, from fundamental polymer synthesis and characterization studies to developing advanced materials and technologies. Polymer scientists and engineers are responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing polymer-based products and processes that meet the needs of society while minimizing their environmental impact.

With the growing demand for sustainable and innovative materials, polymer science and engineering is more important than ever in driving progress and shaping the future.

Product Cost

Most individuals researching about polymers would believe that engineering and scientific research work hand in hand. When polymers are used in product development, we as consumers begin to see the major differences between these roles.

Cost is an important factor in polymer engineering as it influences various aspects of the production, processing, and application of polymers. Cost plays a role in polymer engineering in various phases:

Material selection: The cost of raw materials can influence the selection of polymers for specific applications. Engineers may choose polymers that are cost effective and offer the desired properties for the application.
Processing: The cost of processing polymers can also impact their use. Certain polymers may be difficult or expensive to process. This requires specialized equipment or processing conditions, which can add to the overall cost of the product.
Manufacturing: The cost of manufacturing polymers can affect the overall cost of the product. Production processes that are inefficient or require large amounts of energy can drive up costs, making the final product more expensive.

Where cost effects polymer engineering in a more direct way, scientific research regarding polymers can become cost dependent. Research can be affected in various ways due to cost:

Research funding: The cost of research can impact the availability of funding for scientific research for polymers. Research projects that are deemed too expensive may not receive funding or may receive less funding. As a result, it can limit the scope of the research.
Material costs: The cost of materials used in scientific research for polymers can be a significant factor in determining the feasibility of a project. Certain polymers or chemicals may be expensive or difficult to obtain, which can impact the research.
Intellectual property: The cost of protecting intellectual property can also be a factor in scientific research for polymers. Patenting and licensing costs can be significant and can impact the ability of researchers to commercialize their work.

Learn More about Polymers with Us

The Polymers Center is a non-profit organization that provides a range of services to the polymer industry, including training and product testing.

These services include polymer processing, analysis, testing, and training. Our team also provides education programs for those seeking to expand their knowledge in the field. The Polymers Center prides itself on delivering high-quality results while adhering to the highest safety and efficiency standards.

We offer a variety of training courses designed to meet the needs of individuals and companies in the polymer industry, from basic polymer science to advanced processing techniques. The Polymers Center also provides product testing services to help companies evaluate and improve their products.

Our testing facilities include equipment for mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and microscopy, among others.

To learn more about the training and product testing services offered by the Polymers Center, you can visit their website or contact us directly. Our experienced team can help you identify the services that are most relevant to your needs and provide you with the support you need to achieve your goals.

polymer-center

Commemorating Dennis Hayford

Dedicating New Sign to Dennis Hayford

Leistritz Reactive Extrusion Twin Screw Workshop

Leistritz Reactive Extrusion Twin Screw Workshop

MFG Con Call for Speakers

�� Call for Speakers: MFGCON 2026 ��

Plastic Part Material Selection for Engineers

Choosing the Right Plastic

Machine Setting Course SELOGICA/GESTICA

ARBURG injection molding machines with SELOGICA/GESTICA controller

Building Resilient Supply Chains: The Power of Domestic Sourcing

Supplier Matching

The Plastics Community Comes Together to Build a New R&D Line at The Polymers Center

New R&D Line at The Polymers Center

Blown Film Trial to Evaluate Dispersion

Blown Film Trial to Evaluate Dispersion

A trial was conducted at The Polymers Center utilizing our Syncro Micro Extruder to assess dispersion in blown film. For further discussion on experimental trials, please contact The Polymers Center.

The Polymers Center Offers New Extrusion Fundamentals Course

The Polymers Center is excited to announce our new Extrusion Fundamentals course, led by industry expert Scott Lambert . Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals, this comprehensive two-day training offers a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of extrusion principles.

A Successful Trial Using 98% Recycled Polymer Material At The Polymers Center

The Polymers Center continues to explore the potential of sustainable materials with another successful trial. This time, the team has produced high-quality pellets from a 98% recycled polymer material.

﻿

Contact us to learn about our capabilities in polymers processing and production, our commitment to innovation, and our support of a circular economy.

Specialty Polymer Materials Compounded at The Polymers Center

The Polymers Center continues to advance the science of specialty polymer materials, producing this unique compound with specialty liquids.

PCE Plastics Symposium 2025: Finding a Way Forward

PCE Plastics Symposium 2025

Finding a Way Forward

PCE Plastics Recycling Symposium: A Collaborative Push for Sustainable Solutions

A Collaborative Push for Sustainable Solutions for Plastics

PLASTICS RECYCLING SYMPOSIUM 2025

CHARLOTTE, NC

International Plastics Equipment Suppliers Expanding To The US

Strategic US Expansion Opportunity For International Equipment Suppliers To The Polymer & Plastics Industry

﻿

The Nesting Program At The Polymers Center Spotlighted In Plastics News

Plastics News Highlights The Polymers Center's Nesting Program

﻿

The Polymers Center Assists Training Of Maag Staff At Their Annual Sales Meeting

The Polymers Center Hosts Maag’s Annual Sales Meeting

A Big ‘Thank You’ To Everyone Who Attended Our Open House

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for our Open House at The Polymers Center, celebrating the grand opening of our new building.

About Our Open House

About Our Open House

The SPE Carolinas Polymer Business Showcase

Exhibit At The Carolinas Polymer Business Showcase

The Polymers Foundation Is Proud To Announce Sarah Kim As The First Recipient Of The Joe Bennett Leadership Award

Sarah Kim - The First Recipient Of The Joe Bennett Leadership Award

The Polymers Center And NCEdge - Customized Technical Training For NC Manufacturing Companies

Technical Training For NC Manufacturing Companies By NCEdge And The Polymers Center

The Polymers Center Gets A New Primo 60 E Strand Pelletizer

New Strand Pelletizer Added To Our Lab

Sesotec Opens New Office At The Polymers Center Facility

Sesotec is excited to announce their new office location within The Polymer Center in Charlotte, NC.

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

Our Arburg Allrounder Injection Molding Machine Is Now Up And Running

Pelletizing Low Durometer Material with The Polymers Center’s New Econ Lab Unit EWA10 - Underwater and Air Pelletizer

Pelletizing Low Durometer Material with The Polymers Center’s New Econ Lab Unit EWA10 - Underwater and Air Pelletizer

Arburg’s Potential Expansion

The Polymers Center Adds Microex Cast and Blown Machines to Extrusion Lab

The Polymers Center Adds Microex Cast and Blown Machines to Extrusion Lab

Extrusion of Sheet Elastomer Using A New Formulation

Burlington Medical Collaborates With The Polymers Center To Improve Performance Of Radiation Protection Products.

Testing On Our Instron 3366

Testing On Our Instron 3366

Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop wraps up with hands-on training at The Polymers Center.

Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop Wraps Up With Hands-On Training At The Polymers Center.

Charlie Martin of Leistritz kicks off the Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop today at The Polymers Center.

Charlie Martin of Leistritz kicks off the Bioplastics Twin Screw Workshop today at The Polymers Center.

Announcing The Startup Of Our New Maag/Gala Model 6 Pelletizer

Excited to announce the startup of our new Maag/Gala Model 6 Pelletizer attached to our new 40mm Maxx Leistritz twin screw.

Another Successful Blown Film Trial

Another successful blown film trial using our 2” diameter single layer blown film die on our 1-1/2” Single Screw extruder.

New Maag PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer At The Polymers Center

New Maag PRIMOPlus 200 Strand Pelletizer At The Polymers Center

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

A (Very) Quick History of Injection Molds

The Polymers Center Celebrates 25 Years Of Supporting The Plastics Industry

The Polymers Center Celebrates 25 Years Of Supporting The Plastics Industry