Service sees over 400 enquiries for polymer R&D assistance

RAPRA Ltd, the independent organisation dedicated to helping companies resolve issues with polymer related technical issues, materials selection and R&D, says it has seen a huge uptake of enquiries through its ‘Enquiry Service’ referral system.

The organisation says it has put in excess of 400 companies, ranging from small SMEs to multi-national organisations, in touch with its network of Preferred Service Providers (PSPs) and Preferred Partners (PPs) for assistance with technical, supplier, training or funding issues.

“RAPRA is putting even more resources into our Enquiry Service as a result of growing our Preferred Service Provider (PSP) network,” commented Steve Shaw, RAPRA Director. “Since the beginning of 2012 the PSP network has grown dramatically. We have developed and improved our capability and capacity to be the first point of call for a variety of clients, whether they are manufacturers, suppliers or end users, of all types of polymers.”

RAPRA says the free enquiry service, which takes the form of a ‘polymer helpdesk’, offers an independent and impartial service, with PSPs chosen based on their ability to offer a high level of technical or business support.

Aside from technical issues, RAPRA says it will also continue to develop and grow its knowledge of training providers, relevant funding bodies and advisory services in order to connect companies with relevant resources.

The organisation says the success of its ‘Meet the Funders’ events in 2013, which aim to connect businesses with the relevant funding bodies for specific projects, will see them repeated in the coming year, along with training events to try and address the skills shortage in the polymer industry.