When you study at Penn College, your instructors will do more than know your name. They’ll get to know you. Experienced, passionate, and dedicated to your success. Penn College instructors are here to support your career journey.
Plastics Innovation & Resource Center
Applying world-class training and Research & Development to help plastics companies close skills gaps, increase efficiencies, and overcome process and compounding challenges.
Contact
- Plastics Innovation & Resource Center
- Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center, Rm. E128
570.321.5533 - pirc@pct.edu
The Plastics Innovation & Resource Center (PIRC) provides technology resources to facilitate the growth and success of the plastics industry in the United States and throughout the world. The Center, dedicated to excellence, serves the education, training, and research & development needs of plastic processors, resin suppliers, mold builders, and equipment manufacturers, offering access to extensive material testing laboratories, industrial scale process equipment, world-class training facilities, and a highly skilled training and consulting staff.
Explore our program areas
Plastic Workshops
(In Person & Remote)
Training and networking opportunities abound in our nationally acclaimed seminars and hands-on workshops, benefitting plastics professionals of all skill levels.
Globals Standards for Plastics Certification (GSPC)
GSPC is a combination of plant/company-specific training, interactive computer based modules, and process simulation software.
Plastics Mobile Lab
The Plastics Mobile Lab provides a user-friendly hands-on STEM educational opportunity for students.
Applied Research & Development
The PIRC is the complete solution for process improvement, applied R&D, product development, and prototyping.
Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence
Supports applied research and development in the rotomolding industry.
Thermoforming Center of Excellence
The facility is dedicated to serve the education, training, and research and development needs of thermoformers, sheet extruders, resin suppliers, mold builders, and equipment manufacturers.
Benefits
Increase profitability
- Improve manufacturing productivity
- Better utilize and manage materials
- Use new technology and materials
- Benefit from energy reduction programs
- Decrease operation costs
Decrease development costs
- Reduce production down time for trials on new materials or products
- Handle analysis, testing, mold trials, product development, and research needs
- Reduce capital costs – no need to invest in your own R & D facilities
Develop and train your workforce
- Participate in national hands-on workshops
- Employee Certification of skills and knowledge
- Provide customized workshops at your site or at Penn College
Student Experience
“The PIRC did a terrific job analyzing and solving this complex problem. I highly recommend them.”
PIRC Student
News
11.22.2021
CMT Materials contributes to roll-fed thermoformer upgrade
CMT Materials has provided $5,000 in support of upgrades to a roll-fed thermoformer used for instructional purposes at ...
10.29.2021
B. Braun Medical supports upgrade to roll-fed thermoformer
B. Braun Medical has awarded $5,000 in grant support to Pennsylvania College of Technology for an update to a roll-fed ...
10.11.2021
Industry pros again benefit from Penn College plastics workshop
Eleven registrants from seven companies in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Illinois attended a three-day Plastics Materials, ...