Moulds Plus sponsors plastics scholarship at UMass Lowell

Moulds Plus International, manufacturer of the Ultra Purge purging compound, is putting its money where its mouth is to address the plastics industry's growing talent gap. "In the last year we have read a number of articles and have spoken to many people in the plastics industry that say it is becoming increasing difficult to find well trained employees in the plastics industry," said Graziano Pestarino, president. "We brainstormed ideas on how to encourage future generations to get involved in the plastics industry and decided sponsoring a scholarship would be a good way to do our part."

The scholarship will be awarded once each academic year to a sophomore, junior, or senior that is pursuing a degree in Plastics Engineering at UMass Lowell. Eligible students will need a 2.5 grade point average or higher and demonstrate financial need through established federal financial aid formulas.

The scholarship, which will be called the Moulds Plus International Scholarship, will launch in the spring semester 2013. The company is currently in the process of selecting its inaugural winner.

Mould Plus's Andrew Reeder told PlasticsToday his company is also discussing the potential establishment of a cooperative education program with UMass Lowell's plastics engineering department.