Engineering business eyes global opportunities with university research partnership
Enterprise cash has enabled a manufacturer of engineered plastic parts to open the door to international markets
Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) awarded Wakefield-based PolyGlobal £10,000 match funding for a partnership with Bradford University Polymer Research Centre.
The university is testing the company’s core range of materials including its innovative new product, Hyperpol, which PolyGlobal developed to help it access new markets and expand its sector reach.
With three versions, Hyperpol XL, offering enhanced abrasion resistance, Hyperpol Hydro, designed for use in water based environments and Hyperpol Eco, which includes a percentage of recycled material, PolyGlobal needed technical data to give its customers, in order to have the material recognised as an industry standard.
Dr Christina Tuinea-Bobe, from University of Bradford, said laboratory testing provided clients with the technical data they wanted and their customers with the quality assurance and accreditations they sought.
“Our world leading facilities coupled with our experience and expertise will enable us to support PolyGlobal to implement new technologies that will ultimately be transformative for the company both technically and commercially,” she said.
Andy Young, Sales & Marketing Manager for PolyGlobal, said: “It is the first time we have invested in academic research and if successful, it could lead to further collaboration with Bradford University’s Polymer Research Centre and future internal technological investment.
“Our customers know they can depend on us to provide reliable and effective parts, but we are constantly striving to improve our knowledge and capabilities.
“This collaboration helps fulfil those ambitions. Further, being able to support our offerings with independent university research separates us from our competitors and advances our position within the industry.”
Backed by Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, PolyGlobal has received partial funding towards the £20,000 overall investment for the material testing project in the way of an Access Innovation Direct Award Grant.
The LEP work with partners across both public and private sectors with the goal of stimulating growth that will create jobs and prosperity for everyone who lives, works and does business in the area.
Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 said: “I’m delighted that through the LEP Access Innovation programme, PolyGlobal is set to access new markets and become a stronger competitor within their industry.
“It’s vital that as a region we continue to invest in innovation through our universities and give businesses the tools they need to help grow the economy.
“I’d encourage all businesses to get in touch with the LEP and find out about the support available to innovate products and processes.”
