Polymer Connect - empowering polymer partnerships
ATIM manufacturing Cluster Ireland and NIPA Northern Ireland, both leading clusters in the polymer industry, designed a collaborative project to enable the development of a digitalised platform and create access to comprehensive all island data and connections within the polymer sector.
Background
ATIM is an industry-led cluster operating in Ireland. Connecting companies, academia, and government to accelerate innovation and growth in advanced and sustainable manufacturing. Supporting members ranging from SMEs to multinationals in adopting new technologies, building future-ready skills, and developing collaborative solutions. ATIM promotes the conversion of natural resources to high-value products, for the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.The Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) is the industry representative body for the Polymers Sector in Northern Ireland. NIPA support and encourages innovation, competitiveness, exports and R&D by its Members and the broader Polymer Sector. Markets served cover the spectrum from aerospace, transport, medical, packaging, consumer, building and construction, utilities, food & drink and many, many more. Membership is made up of manufacturers, research and development / advisory & support services / further & higher education, and the wider supply chain.
The polymer connect project aimed to create comprehensive all island data, improve visibility on an all island basis and tackle growing sectoral challenges. Thus fostering connections in both jurisdictions.
Details of Synergy support
The IntertradeIreland Synergy project funded €109,768.00 to build upon the work on IBEC 2016 map, by supporting 3 main areas within the polymer sector:
- Create visibility - through the creation and development of an intelligence platform
- Collaboration - through a series of workshops, thematic working groups and site visits
- Innovation - through varying innovation projects, business to business, cluster to cluster, business to research and all island insights
Synergy project outcomes
- 550+ participants were involved in the Polymer Connect project events
- 230 companies are listed on the created polymer connect directory platform
- 10 events were held including networking events, breakfasts, workshops, and site visits
Workshop were collaborative and topics included Mersus VR, Sustainability regulations and competitiveness.
Visibility was very successfully increased through the initiative and was promoted to 1200 attendees at external events. These included the TCI global Cluster conference, plastics live, IPG and GPSIS.