OUR PARTNERS
The University of Akron has positioned itself as a global leader in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and has driven polymers, rubber, and plastic research for decades. Initial research sponsored by Elevate Greater Akron has concluded that a cluster of polymer companies exists within the region. Potential opportunities of collaboration among polymer companies and with the University of Akron can help catalyze large, sustainable growth in the region’s economy.
The Elevate Greater Akron Partners, along with Team NEO and The University of Akron launched the Polymer Industry Cluster Initiative to conduct a deeper examination of the region’s polymer industry and develop a framework to leverage its full potential. The goal of this work is to elevate Northeast Ohio’s polymer industry into a truly dynamic enterprise that is better positioned for strong, sustainable growth in an ever-changing global economy.
OUR PARTNERS
The University of Akron has positioned itself as a global leader in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and has driven polymers, rubber, and plastic research for decades. Initial research sponsored by Elevate Greater Akron has concluded that a cluster of polymer companies exists within the region. Potential opportunities of collaboration among polymer companies and with the University of Akron can help catalyze large, sustainable growth in the region’s economy.
The Elevate Greater Akron Partners, along with Team NEO and The University of Akron launched the Polymer Industry Cluster Initiative to conduct a deeper examination of the region’s polymer industry and develop a framework to leverage its full potential. The goal of this work is to elevate Northeast Ohio’s polymer industry into a truly dynamic enterprise that is better positioned for strong, sustainable growth in an ever-changing global economy.
OUR PARTNERS
The University of Akron has positioned itself as a global leader in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and has driven polymers, rubber, and plastic research for decades. Initial research sponsored by Elevate Greater Akron has concluded that a cluster of polymer companies exists within the region. Potential opportunities of collaboration among polymer companies and with the University of Akron can help catalyze large, sustainable growth in the region’s economy.
The Elevate Greater Akron Partners, along with TeamNEO, The University of Akron, and JobsOhio launched the Polymer Industry Cluster Initiative to conduct a deeper examination of the region’s polymer industry and develop a framework to leverage its full potential. The goal of this work is to elevate Northeast Ohio’s polymer industry into a truly dynamic enterprise that is better positioned for strong, sustainable growth in an ever-changing global economy.
________
Learn about what
we’ve accomplished
________
Get answers to the
common questions
________
For deeper analysis, check out our polymer cluster research
________
Contact us for more information on our polymers work
Learn about what we’ve accomplished
Get answers to the common questions
For deeper analysis, check out our polymer cluster research
Contact us for more information on our polymers work
Commissioned a Feasibility Study
An industry expert was hired to conduct a one-year feasibility study, supported by staff. The study revealed that there is significant potential to create an active polymer cluster and catalyze substantial new growth. Although the polymer industry cluster is most concentrated in Akron MSA, there are significant assets throughout the Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown areas. This polymer industry cluster can be considered a Northeast Ohio cluster.
Commissioned a
Feasibility Study
An industry expert was hired to conduct a one-year feasibility study, supported by staff. The study revealed that there is significant potential to create an active polymer cluster and catalyze substantial new growth. Although the polymer industry cluster is most concentrated in Akron MSA, there are significant assets throughout the Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown areas. This polymer industry cluster can be considered a Northeast Ohio cluster.
Established a Polymer Industry
Advisory Council
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council was created to develop an industry-led vision, set of goals, and a strategy to achieve those goals on behalf of the cluster. This council is comprised of representatives from over 20 different polymer related companies and institutions from around the region and growing quickly. Throughout the year, the council developed a shared vision and mission statement, developed distinct development projects to fill challenges and gaps to help achieve our cluster goals, and filled a gap in central leadership for the cluster that has activated ongoing cluster engagement.
Established a Polymer Industry Advisory Council
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council was created to develop an industry-led vision, set of goals, and a strategy to achieve those goals on behalf of the cluster. This council is comprised of representatives from over 20 different polymer related companies and institutions from around the region and growing quickly. Throughout the year, the council developed a shared vision and mission statement, developed distinct development projects to fill challenges and gaps to help achieve our cluster goals, and filled a gap in central leadership for the cluster that has activated ongoing cluster engagement.
Assessed Shared Industry Challenges
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council worked to create a list of shared challenges and ecosystem gaps that had significant potential to create industry growth through collective problem solving. The council developed plans to create four working groups to begin tackling these challenges in 2022 on a deeper level: workforce, research, start-ups/ entrepreneurs, and supply chain.
Assessed Shared
Industry Challenges
The Polymer Industry Advisory Council worked to create a list of shared challenges and ecosystem gaps that had significant potential to create industry growth through collective problem solving. The council developed plans to create four working groups to begin tackling these challenges in 2022 on a deeper level: workforce, research, start-ups/ entrepreneurs, and supply chain.
Identified New Opportunities
Through our research and the work of the council, we have begun to identify global opportunities for the industry cluster. We have developed distinct development projects, pursued opportunities for outside funding, developed a recommended roadmap for investment and engagement over the next few years, and have begun to represent the NEO polymer industry cluster with other industry clusters.
Identified New Opportunities
Through our research and the work of the council, we have begun to identify global opportunities for the industry cluster. We have developed distinct development projects, pursued opportunities for outside funding, developed a recommended roadmap for investment and engagement over the next few years, and have begun to represent the NEO polymer industry cluster with other industry clusters.
Finalist in the EDA Build Back Regional Challenge
We submitted a collaborative application with MAGNET and other partners for the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, on behalf of Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing sector and polymer industry. We were selected as one of 60 finalists, from 529 submissions. Advancing to the finalist round comes with a $500,000 grant for technical assistance to further develop the overall proposal, which is due in March 2022. If you are interested, you can learn more about the challenge here.
Finalist in the EDA Build Back Regional Challenge
We submitted a collaborative application with MAGNET and other partners for the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, on behalf of Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing sector and polymer industry. We were selected as one of 60 finalists, from 529 submissions. Advancing to the finalist round comes with a $500,000 grant for technical assistance to further develop the overall proposal, which is due in March 2022. If you are interested, you can learn more about the challenge here.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re investing. If you
are interested in getting involved in this work or helping
to drive this work, fill out the form below.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re
investing. If you are interested in getting
involved in this work or helping to drive
this work, fill out the form below.
We’re leading, we’re collaborating, we’re investing. If you are interested in getting involved in this work or helping to drive this work, fill out the form below.
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