December 13, 2024

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

July 18, 2025
New R&D Line at The Polymers Center

Blown Film Trial to Evaluate Dispersion

July 1, 2025
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

June 24, 2025
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

June 17, 2025
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.
Unique Compound with Specialty Liquids

Specialty Polymer Materials Compounded at The Polymers Center

June 3, 2025
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.
Plastics Recycling Symposium

PCE Plastics Symposium 2025: Finding a Way Forward

May 25, 2025
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.
PCE Plastics Recycling Symposium At The Polymers Center

PCE Plastics Recycling Symposium: A Collaborative Push for Sustainable Solutions

May 13, 2025
The PCE Plastics Recycling Symposium, held at The Polymers Center on April 29-30, brought together a diverse group of professionals dedicated to eliminating plastics from the waste stream.
PLASTICS SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE 2025

PLASTICS RECYCLING SYMPOSIUM 2025

April 28, 2025
On April 29-30, 2025, The Polymers Center in Charlotte is holding a conference on plastics sustainability, from collection to reclaimed pellet, focused on providing the latest technology to accomplish that goal.
The Polymers Center

International Plastics Equipment Suppliers Expanding To The US

April 15, 2025
Strategic US Expansion Opportunity For International Equipment Suppliers To The Polymer & Plastics Industry.

The Nesting Program At The Polymers Center Spotlighted In Plastics News

March 20, 2025
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.