The Applied Polymer Technology Gateway at Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland was opened by Minister for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock TD, as part of an international plastics conference attended by over 100 delegates.

APT is part of an Enterprise Ireland-funded nationwide network of technology gateways, designed to deliver technology-based solutions for companies in Ireland. APT is a national research center for the plastics industry.

 “The research center will create practical and pragmatic solutions to the problems facing the plastics industry, which includes sectors as diverse as medical devices, pharmaceutical, automotive, packaging, renewable energy, construction, and recycling,” says APT manager Dr. Seán Lyons. “The APT will provide the plastics industry with access to cutting-edge characterisation tools, in addition to pilot scale processing facilities. We have a dedicated R&D team with a proven track record of working with industry partners to complete short- and long-term projects ranging from troubleshooting, product and material development and process optimization.”

The All-Ireland New Technology Forum and Society of Plastics Engineers annual conference is co-hosted by Athlone Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology, in association with IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Plastics Ireland, and IBEC.

The conference, entitled “From Convergence, via Translation, to the Bottom Line – Building Plastics into the Future,” provides regional Irish industry with a unique networking opportunity with global industry leaders to explore new routes to higher profit margins through niche technological advances and new, sustainable, higher value market opportunities.

Release Date: March 4, 2014
Source: Athlone Institute of Technology