Despite the economic downturn in the United States, the advanced materials and polymer industry in the state of Ohio is boasting new jobs, new companies, and new opportunities for existing companies. This success is largely the result of an ongoing economic development program within the state, and a strong support network within its polymer research and industry community.
Since 2002, Ohio has invested more than $1.6 billion in Ohio Third Frontier, a bond-funded development program designed to create new technology-based products, companies, industries, and jobs within the state. The original program was for 10 years, but in May 2011, voters approved a $700 million extension through 2015. Ohio Third Frontier supports programs in seven areas: advanced materials, fuel cells, photovoltaics, advanced energy, biomedical, medical imaging, and sensors.
To date the advanced materials program has received over $200 million from Ohio Third Frontier, with additional funds supporting materials research, development, and manufacturing in the advanced energy program and others. This money has been leveraged with private investments and federal grants to create an even bigger impact.
Ohio Third Frontier is more than a grant distribution program according to Norm Chagnon, its executive director. The Third Frontier aims to create a culture of collaboration among Ohio businesses and research institutions that lasts beyond the funding, and to build an Ohio that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship.
The advanced polymers group at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) tailors polymers specifically to meet the needs of customers such as the Department of Defense. The group has been involved in multiple projects funded by the Third Frontier. One of the main benefits has been increased collaboration between Ohio universities, said Alex Morgan, a senior research scientist and group leader for advanced polymers at UDRI. “Ohio has a pretty strong research university culture and research university capability,” he said. “Now universities are a lot more inclined to collaborate and work together than in the past.”
Another benefit has been growing business opportunities for UDRI. “Ohio Third Frontier helped us branch out and bring in more industry business,” said Morgan, because local companies are more aware of UDRI’s capabilities and specialties. Other laboratories and companies have also experienced growth as a result of local networking opportunities and partnerships through Ohio Third Frontier.
Chagnon cited the increased collaboration among universities, businesses, and research institutions as a source of pride for the state. “Hopefully we are creating sustainable clusters of economic activity within the state that won’t have to rely on ongoing investments from the state,” he said.
In 2001, shortly before the Ohio Third Frontier began, a group of senior leaders from industry, academia, and government formed two organizations to lead and support the polymer community—the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council (OPSC) to provide strategic direction and PolymerOhio to serve and connect the community. PolymerOhio is one of seven Ohio Edison Technology Centers, statewide organizations that provide services to technology-based businesses.
The Ohio State University’s Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC) was established in 2005 with the help of an $11.5 million Third Frontier Award. OBIC was instrumental in starting a national consortium to develop Ohio-grown Russian dandelions as an alternative source of rubber for automobiles and other industrial applications.
A key component to the success of the Ohio polymer industry has been the strategic direction provided by OPSC. In 2004, the group released a road map highlighting potential growth areas, business opportunities, and important technologies. In early 2011, the group released an updated road map recognizing the industry successes, but also urging the community to stay focused on innovation and bringing products to market quickly in order to maintain their competitive edge.
From research and development to manufacturing and production, Ohio is home to companies along the entire supply chain. One of PolymerOhio’s main functions is networking—to connect those with technical or business needs with local expertise. According to CEO Wayne Earley, when a company calls PolymerOhio seeking assistance, the organization can often find contacts willing to help within hours.
More than 80% of Ohio’s polymer establishments have fewer than 100 employees. Recognizing the importance of small businesses and start-up companies, PolymerOhio maintains a set of computational and simulation tools that small and medium-sized companies can use on an affordable, pay-per-use basis. Members can also participate in shared purchasing and services programs to reduce their operational costs.
With the Ohio Third Frontier, OPSC, PolymerOhio, and investments in other organizations such as the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center, Ohio Nano-Network, the National Composite Center, and the Center for Multifunctional Polymers, Nano-Materials and Devices, the state of Ohio is a growing hub of polymer activity. Companies and research institutions are engaged at all points along the supply chain in areas ranging from aerospace to flexible displays.
The polymer industry in Ohio employs approximately 130,000 people at 2440 establishments. It has generated nearly $50 billion in economic activity and more than $1.3 billion in exports annually in recent years. For more information on Ohio’s investments in the polymer community, visit http://www.PolymerOhio.org.
