PolyRegionCOMPETENCE IN POLYMERS

Maja Mešl

Seminar and B2B, Phillips Klagenfurt

12th December 2013

PROJECT FACTS

Project title: Formation of PolyRegion by combining R&D and industrial capacities, especially SME's in the area ofpolymer technologies, with the aim of upgradingknowledge base, infrastructure and competitiveness.Duration: 01.01.2012 ‐ 31.12.2014Funding program: Operational Programme Slovenia‐Austria 2007‐2013 www.si‐at.euBudget: 1.012.563,55 EUREFRE funds: 838.083,00 EURLead partner: VŠTP – Visoka šola za tehnologijo polimerov

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LP – Visoka šola za tehnologijo polimerov

P1 – Montanuniversität Leoben

P2 – TECOS, Razvojni center orodjarstva Slovenije

P3 – Materials Cluster Styria GmbH

P4 – GIZ Grozd Plasttehnika

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• Slovenia: Gorenjska, Savinjska, Koroška, Podravska, Osrednjeslovenska in Pomurska;

• Austria: Oststeiermark, West‐und Südsteiermark, Graz, Obersteiermark Ost, Obersteiermark West, Unterkärnten, Klagenfurt‐Villach, Oberkärnten

PROJECT GOALSThe objective of the PolyRegion is to create a strong and sustainable economic region in the cross‐border region Slovenia – Austria. This involves creating a cross‐border network between education, R&D and industry, with:

Identification of core competences and knowledge of all partner institutions/businesses and target groupsDevelopment of an active and internationally competitive partnership between R&D institutions and the educational institutions in the field of polymer technologyPromotion of collaboration, exchange and knowledge transfer between businesses and research institutionsJoint educational activities and B2B meetingsStudent and apprentice exchangesConsolidation and dissemination of the region's know‐how and competencies in the field of polymers and polymer processing technologies by developing the brand PolyRegionOrganisation of international events for expanding knowledge and exchanging experiences

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KEY ACTIVITIESInterviews with SME‘s and analysis reportweb page PolyRegion with interactive competence map2 network projects, 3 B2B events (2 SLO, 1 AT)4 conferences/seminars1 joint cross border pilot R&D project5 new training programmes for SME’s, developed and implemented1 new joint summer school developed and implemented5 exchange activities of students, professors and staff implemented

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INTERVIEWS, ANALYSIS AND COMPETENCE MAP• more than 100 interviews with companies

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Market orientation Material usage

INTERACTIVE COMPETENCE MAP

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TRAINING PROGRAMMES• 1 training program implemented – Introduction to polymers

(3 days x 4 hours ‐ 60 participants from Slovenia)• Goal: To develop at least five new training programs based on 

the needs of the companies in PolyRegion• Training programs in 2014:

• Mould planning and maintainance• Simulations• Characterisation of polymer materials• Rubber• Recycling/Biopolymers

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SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND B2B‘S• 1 seminar and B2B in Celje – Plagkem• Goal: To provide new knowledge about trends in different fields in 

the area of PMT and to facilitate the process of networkingbetween companies, companies and R&D institutions,…

• Seminars/conferences and B2B‘s in 2014• Challanges in extrusion of polymers – international conference (Slovenj Gradec)• ICIT conference and B2B ICIT ‐ International Conference on Industrial Tools and 

Material Processing Technologies (Ljubljana)• 3D printing – Seminar (Leoben)

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JOINT R&D PROJECTTitle: New methods and materials for injection moulding

• new method for sound detection• new biodegradable polymers for home composting• process optimisation

Goal: The main goal is to implement a joint R&D project, whichwill be a good practice for future cooperation between the R&D institutions in PolyRegion. 

Results of the R&D projects will be published on www.polyregion.org

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NETWORKING PROJECTS• 2 networking projects (max 8 companies from PolyRegion)

• Composites• Packeging for food industry

• Goal: To implement a new way of cooperation between R&D institutions and companies (transfer of knowledge and experiencesfrom Austria – MUL). 

• A series of workshops for the interested companies organized on the basis of their needs. To provide/find experts/expertise in theareas of interest for the group of companies.

• The results – a new technology, product, material developed/implemented, process optimised.

Start – February 2014 

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POLYREGION EVENTS IN 2014

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Month Type of Event Title of Event Location

February Conference Challanges in Extrusion ofPolymers

Slovenj Gradec

March Training programme Mould planning Celje

April Training programme Simulation Leoben

April Conference and B2B ICIT ‐ International Conference on Industrial Tools and Material Processing Technologies

Ljubljana

May Seminar 3D Printing Leoben

June Training programme Rubber Slovenj Gradec

October Training programme Characterisation of Materials Slovenj Gradec and Leoben

November Training programme Biopolymers/Recycling Slovenj Gradec

JOIN US!The participation in the project is free of charge. 

Your benefits: 

• online presence on our competence map• the opportunity to cooperate in our R&D and 

networking projects• the opportunity to participate in our 

business to business (B2B) meetings• the opportunity to participate in our 

training programmes/seminars and conferences