Research Connections Polymer Research Workshop

InterTradeIreland Research Connections

Polymer Research Workshop

InterTradeIreland’s Research Connections initiative aims to bring together research groups in relevant areas to develop North/South relationships and partnerships. Such partnerships would support the development of the all-island research base to underpin future economic development.

Supporting greater linkages with academia throughout the island can play a major role in helping businesses to survive the economic downturn and build for the future. With a view to bringing together the opinions of those in academia and business, InterTradeIreland organised a roundtable event in Athlone on the 22nd April 2009 to begin the discussion on stimulating greater knowledge exchange and business innovation within the polymer and plastics sector.

There was academic representation from seven institutions across the island. Five companies were directly represented, with the wider sector across the island being represented through the Northern Ireland Polymer Association and Plastics Ireland.

For a full list of workshop participants, click here

The meeting opened with an overview of the InterTradeIreland Research Connections initiative. This was followed by presentations outlining the polymer and plastics industry North and South, with a focus on the need to remain competitive. Each of the academic institutions then provided a presentation on their research interests and facilities. The final session was a facilitated discussion to determine what initial steps should be taken to improve collaboration with academia and increase innovation in industry.

To download a copy of the workshop report, click here

The agenda and presentations are available below.

2.00	Welcome & Introductions	InterTradeIreland / Worshop Facilitator
2.10	Opening Presentation	InterTradeIreland
2.30	Industry Overview	Northern Ireland -Brian McCann, Clairehill Plastics Ireland - Kenny O'Brien, Athlone Extrusions
3.10	Research Overview	AIT, QUB, UCD, UL, TCD, WIT, IT Sligo
4.10	Facilitated Discussion
5.00	Close