Polymers & Materials
Shape the future of polymers in an industry-leading location.
Polymers & Materials
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 820 polymer and materials companies and 26,000 trained Ohio 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.
Polymers & Materials Ecosystem in Northeast Ohio
Company
Access to Talent
Partners
R&D Resources
Infrastructure
800+
800+ polymer and materials companies
26,000
26,000 polymer workers in Ohio
#1
#1 state for employment in plastic and rubber product manufacturing
top 10
Top 10 state for ethanol production and crude oil refining (7th)
(2023)
#2
#2 Most Popular Polymer & Plastics Engineering Schools in the United States
(Case Western Reserve University)
Colleges, universities, and education providers offering polymers & materials related areas of study.
Polymers & Materials Workforce Data
- Employers
- Occupations
- Higher Education
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 |
9.3K+
Certificates
12.3K+
Associate’s Degrees
21K+
Bachelor’s Degrees
9.3K+
Graduate Degrees
Case Study
Edge Plastics
The manufacturer of industrial injection molding products for the retail space, recently expanded its Mansfield, Ohio workforce.
Northeast Ohio Regional Events
Connect with Alyssa at upcoming conferences and events.
