Penn College polymer training attracts diverse professionals

The Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology conducted a flurry of workshops in October, delivering training to 25 professionals, representing 14 companies, four states and Canada.

The three workshops – Color Science & Weathering, Plastic Materials & Processing Fundamentals, and Rotational Molding & Advanced Materials – featured lectures and extensive hands-on experience in Penn College’s industry-standard labs.

Sponsored by the Audia Group, the Color Science & Weathering Workshop focused on understanding the practical aspects of color science. Bruce Mulholland, retired color technology manager at the Celanese Corp. and past president of the Society of Plastics Engineers, served as lead instructor.

“Every aspect of the workshop was relevant and deeply informational,” said Dylan Fraley, associate color technologist at Penn Color Inc. in Hatfield. “All topics either reinforced existing knowledge … or were brand-new teachings that were extremely informative.”

“One of the most interesting points I learned is how to approach a color match,” added Lisa Colbourne, quality color lab technician at Precision Color Compounds in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “Understanding the spectral curve and how to analyze it is going to be a huge tool I will be using!”

Vii J. Rice, assistant professor of polymer technology and co-department head at Penn College, led the Plastic Materials & Processing Fundamentals Workshop, sponsored by Nexeo Plastics. Content ranged from how polymers differ to crystallinity and test methods.

“I have a better understanding of the processes and pains of those I’m selling to,” remarked James Shearn, who works for Trademark Plastics Corp. in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Penn College polymer engineering faculty Jose M. Perez and Mark A. Sneidman aided Rice throughout the session. PIRC staff Christopher J. Gagliano, director; Nathan A. Rader-Edkin, program manager; Reagan G. McCoy, project manager; and Beth J. Zielewicz, program coordinator, assisted with all three workshops.

Matthew Tornow, president of Tornow Enterprises Inc. in Statesville, North Carolina, guided the third workshop: Rotational Molding & Advanced Materials. Sponsored by the M. Holland Co., the training covered several topics, including material preparation, molding parameters and dual-layer molding.

Bob Newitt – a representative from Ingenia Polymers in Brantford, Ontario, Canada – described the workshop as “great” and “informative.”

The next series of hands-on PIRC workshops is scheduled for May 2025.

The PIRC is one of the top plastics technology centers in the nation for research, development and education related to injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, rotational molding and thermoforming. To learn more, call 570-321-5533.

Penn College offers a bachelor’s degree in polymer engineering technology and an associate degree in polymer technology. Both programs are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology and boast 100% overall job placement.

For information about those and other majors in the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222 for more information.