Polymer Powerhouse: Akron's new $31 million innovation hub
Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik recently announced the creation of Ohio's third Innovation Hub: the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub.
The Innovation Hub program’s $31.25 million award to the Polymer Industry Cluster will be matched by $10.4 million from local partners. Funding from the program is anticipated to lead to nearly 2,400 new jobs in the Akron area, 500 new STEM credentials, and $68 million of additional investment in the polymer industry.
A significant portion of the state's funding will be used to construct the Hub's Polymer Pilot Plant, which will focus on polymer innovations related to healthcare, mobility, electronics, semiconductors, industrial materials, and energy.
The Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub is led by more than 70 partner agencies, including the Greater Akron Chamber, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Bridgestone Americas, Synthomer, The University of Akron (UA), the city of Akron, and Summit County.
This announcement follows Greater Akron’s designation as the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub of the United States. The state and federal awards are distinct yet complementary to one another.
What It Means to Ohio
With over 150 polymer-related manufacturing companies in the Akron region alone, and more than 500 across Northeast Ohio, this award is another step towards solidifying Greater Akron and Ohio as the undisputed global destination for innovation and growth in and around the polymer industry.
Like the Innovation Districts located in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, Ohio’s Innovation Hubs combine the talents of leading academic and research institutions, workforce and economic development partners, and private companies to gain a competitive advantage through collaboration.
Akron's Innovation Hub is the third in the program. The first was awarded to Toledo’s Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub. The second was awarded to Dayton’s onMain Innovation Hub.
What They’re Saying
“Akron's history in polymer innovation goes back more than 100 years, and now, the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub will lead this industry into the future, bringing tremendous economic growth to the area, thousands of jobs, and millions in new revenue and investments. This hub will also support Ohio's emerging semiconductor and battery manufacturing industries, which both rely heavily on polymer materials.”
— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
“Leadership in polymer R&D allows companies to create new and improved materials with better properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, and sustainability—making Akron the place to be for companies that need access to these innovations.”
— Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted
“This investment builds on the region’s historical and current industrial and academic strength in all aspects of polymer technology, continuing to develop the workforce, creating the physical infrastructure and attracting the thought leaders and start-up culture necessary to move to a sustainable future.”
— Mark Smale, Executive Director of Advanced Polymer Science, Bridgestone Americas and Co-Chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster
“With the Polymer Innovation Hub, we have before us an unprecedented opportunity to take our community’s history and build our next exciting chapter, positioning Greater Akron to continue advancing technology and sustainability.”
— Erin Spring, senior director, Global Material Science, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Co-Chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster
“The consortium’s efforts are designed to drive industry growth and transform our economy. This will be achieved by utilizing cross-sector collaboration in research and development, workforce development, infrastructure, and commercialization projects, which has positioned Greater Akron, and all of Ohio, for catalytic investment from state and federal agencies.”
