Polymers & Materials
Shape the future of polymers in an industry-leading location.
Industries
In the Northeast Ohio Region, we’re obsessed with material things.
A century ago, Akron was dubbed “the rubber capital of the world.” Today, with 1,200 polymer and materials companies and 42,000+polymer workers – plus cutting-edge academic and research programs – that success has expanded to materials operations throughout the entire Northeast Ohio Region.
The steady growth of Northeast Ohio’s polymer, chemical and plastics products cluster is taking on positive new momentum as companies discover the advantages of establishing their operations near the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays, where high concentrations of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) provide an abundant supply of low-cost feedstock.
The region is strong across the entire polymers and materials value chain – from extraction to distribution. Polymers and materials companies benefit from access to markets, innovation, education, a skilled workforce, and a region that’s focused on the future of sustainable, smart materials.
Download our resource guide and learn more about the Polymers & Materials industry within the Northeast Ohio Region.
Into polymers? We’ll have great chemistry.
The region’s assets span from natural resources to education and talent, providing the total package for successful polymers and materials companies.
Learn how your business can shape the future of materials in this industry-leading location.
1,200
1,200 polymer and materials companies
42,000+
42,000+ polymer workers
#1
#1 state for employment in plastic and rubber product manufacturing
#1
#1 university in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering
(University of Akron)
#1
#1 best school in the U.S for polymers engineering (bachelor’s and doctor’s degree)
(Case Western Reserve University)
Success Story: Edge Plastics
Edge Plastics Inc., a manufacturer of industrial injection molding products for the retail space, recently expanded its Mansfield, Ohio workforce, growing its team by nearly 80%. The company also added 35,000 square feet to its facility.
The 2021 expansion comes only three years after Edge Plastics purchased a 150,000-square-foot facility to increase its footprint in Mansfield.
Edge Plastics’ expansion demonstrates the Northeast Ohio Region’s strengths in polymers and manufacturing, along with its dedicated manufacturing workforce.
Top 10 Polymers & Materials Employers in Northeast Ohio
| Company | Employees |
|---|---|
| Associated Materials Holdings, LLC | 3,365 |
| The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | 3,000 |
| Avery Dennison | 1,760 |
| PPG | 1,346 |
| Lubrizol Corporation | 1,300 |
| RPM International Inc. | 1,027 |
| Step2 Discovery | 866 |
| Molded Fiber Glass Companies | 685 |
| Synthomer | 341 |
| Myers Industries Inc. | 314 |
Top 10 Polymers & Materials Occupations in Northeast Ohio
| Occupation | Employed in Industry |
|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 2,092 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,593 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | 1,327 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,090 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 1,045 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 928 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 784 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | 649 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 633 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 630 |
