Polymers & Materials

Polymers & Materials

Shape the future of polymers in an industry-leading location.

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

Workforce

42,000+

42,000+ polymer workers

Ohio

#1

#1 state for employment in plastic and rubber product manufacturing

briefcase with graduation cap

#1

#1 university in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering

(University of Akron)

school

#1

#1 best school in the U.S for polymers engineering (bachelor’s and doctor’s degree)

(Case Western Reserve University)

Edge Plastics

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

CompanyEmployees
Associated Materials Holdings, LLC3,365
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company3,000
Avery Dennison1,760
PPG1,346
Lubrizol Corporation1,300
RPM International Inc.1,027
Step2 Discovery866
Molded Fiber Glass Companies685
Synthomer341
Myers Industries Inc.314
Source: D&B Hoovers, Crain’s

Top 10 Polymers & Materials Occupations in Northeast Ohio

OccupationEmployed in Industry
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders2,092
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders1,593
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders1,327
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders1,090
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1,045
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators928
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers784
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks649
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand633
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products630
Source: D&B Hoovers 
Alyssa Carpenter

Alyssa Carpenter

Director of Business Development, Team NEO

Contact us.