PIRC Partner Donates Plastics Processing Equipment to College
Published 03.07.2017
News
Polymer Engineering
Workforce Development
PIRC
Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies News
A longtime proponent of STEM education in the United States is giving students at Pennsylvania College of Technology valuable hands-on experience through its donation of plastics processing equipment.
As part of its i3 Give corporate giving program, Covestro LLC has donated a complete advanced co-extrusion sheet processing unit to Penn College. Covestro will also provide faculty and students with expert on-site training – including demonstration tooling – to initiate the project.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to help Penn College elevate its curriculum in this tangible way,” noted Mark Matsco, director of application development for Covestro LLC. “Giving students access to this equipment not only enhances their skill set, but also helps us continue our mission to support improved STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.”
Penn College, a Penn State affiliate located in Williamsport, offers a bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology and an associate degree in plastics and polymer technology. Participants from both majors are expected to benefit from hands-on experience using the co-extruder.
“Our students learn all the major plastics processes in an effort to provide them with the well-rounded educational experience employers are looking for,” said Shannon M. Munro, executive director of workforce development and continuing education at Penn College. “This equipment donation – the first of its kind on campus – will expand our capabilities in the plastics field and provide our students with a unique and valuable training experience that further increases their marketability for future employment.”
Covestro is a member of the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Penn College, an initiative that serves the education, training, and research and development needs of plastic processors, resin suppliers, mold builders and equipment manufacturers. PIRC offers access to extensive material-testing laboratories, industrial-scale process equipment, world-class training facilities, and a highly skilled training and consulting staff. Covestro has worked with the facility on thermoforming, blow molding and testing projects for the past several years.
“Our strong relationship with Penn College gives students the opportunity to work on practical, real-world projects with Covestro,” added Philipp Polenz, head of commercial operations for the company’s North American Polycarbonates business. “By helping to solve actual problems alongside our own people, these apprentices interested in the plastics processing industry can gain useful and practical experience that will serve them well in their careers.”
Find more information about Covestro LLC, one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America, visit www.covestro.com or www.plastics.covestro.com.
For information on plastics majors offered by Penn College’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
As part of its i3 Give corporate giving program, Covestro LLC has donated a complete advanced co-extrusion sheet processing unit to Penn College. Covestro will also provide faculty and students with expert on-site training – including demonstration tooling – to initiate the project.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to help Penn College elevate its curriculum in this tangible way,” noted Mark Matsco, director of application development for Covestro LLC. “Giving students access to this equipment not only enhances their skill set, but also helps us continue our mission to support improved STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.”
Penn College, a Penn State affiliate located in Williamsport, offers a bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology and an associate degree in plastics and polymer technology. Participants from both majors are expected to benefit from hands-on experience using the co-extruder.“Our students learn all the major plastics processes in an effort to provide them with the well-rounded educational experience employers are looking for,” said Shannon M. Munro, executive director of workforce development and continuing education at Penn College. “This equipment donation – the first of its kind on campus – will expand our capabilities in the plastics field and provide our students with a unique and valuable training experience that further increases their marketability for future employment.”
Covestro is a member of the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Penn College, an initiative that serves the education, training, and research and development needs of plastic processors, resin suppliers, mold builders and equipment manufacturers. PIRC offers access to extensive material-testing laboratories, industrial-scale process equipment, world-class training facilities, and a highly skilled training and consulting staff. Covestro has worked with the facility on thermoforming, blow molding and testing projects for the past several years.
“Our strong relationship with Penn College gives students the opportunity to work on practical, real-world projects with Covestro,” added Philipp Polenz, head of commercial operations for the company’s North American Polycarbonates business. “By helping to solve actual problems alongside our own people, these apprentices interested in the plastics processing industry can gain useful and practical experience that will serve them well in their careers.”Find more information about Covestro LLC, one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America, visit www.covestro.com or www.plastics.covestro.com.
For information on plastics majors offered by Penn College’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.