Ohio’s Polymer Cluster Awarded $51M in Federal Funding

Polymer-rich Northeast Ohio is receiving a $51 million investment through the federal Tech Hubs program, which supports regions with the potential to transform into globally competitive innovation centers. 

Specifically, the Polymer Industry Cluster of Greater Akron, with more than 150 polymer-related manufacturing companies, has been named one of 12 national award recipients. More than 500 polymer-related manufacturing companies operate throughout Northeast Ohio, and the region is focusing on the next wave of industry innovation — particularly sustainable polymers research.

Targeting better environmental outcomes.

This investment is expected to catalyze industry development that results in the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the environment annually while sparking new manufacturing solutions that have less environmental impact. Key technology projects funded by this award will focus on:

More than 4,000 new jobs expected.

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Technology innovation driven by this award is expected to attract enough new businesses and talent to create more than 4,000 jobs and attract more than $1 billion of private investment in expanded production capacity and have a $5 billion total economic impact in Northeast Ohio.

Workforce development for the region will also benefit, with funding used to advance educational initiatives with universities and workforce partners to improve the region’s pipeline of sustainability talent. 

The Polymer Industry Cluster, launched three years ago, was designated in October 2023 as the U.S. Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub and granted $400,000 for strategy development by the Economic Development Administration. The cluster’s new $51 million award will be augmented by $7 million of partner investment.