The Polymers Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, now provides an exceptional opportunity for international companies in the plastics industry to showcase and test their technologies and products in the U.S. market. Through a specially designed "Nesting" program, foreign manufacturers can present their equipment in a state-of-the-art facility spanning approximately 130,000 square feet and benefit from comprehensive support services. Sesotec is proud to be the first Nesting partner, leveraging the Polymers Center to establish a direct connection with end-users and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the U.S.
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Patrick Sommers, Sales Manager at Sesotec Inc., highlights the value of this new program: “We are thrilled to collaborate directly with end-users and OEMs, bringing our expertise to the table in a focused manner. The Nesting program enables us to cater to the industry’s unique demands while efficiently supporting processes and applications.”
An innovation hub with clear objectives
Established in 1999 by the State of North Carolina, the Polymers Center is dedicated to driving technological innovations in the plastics industry and attracting new businesses to the region. As a non-profit organization, the center provides targeted support to help companies establish their technologies in the U.S. market. Each year, over 1,400 participants engage with the Polymers Center’s diverse testing, training, and educational offerings.
With the new "Nesting" program, the center expands its capabilities, offering six specially equipped spaces for international companies to present their technologies directly in the U.S. market. The program is particularly geared toward companies with proven technologies in plastics processing and production.
Charlotte is an ideal location for companies seeking to establish a presence in the U.S., offering proximity to major industrial hubs and excellent connectivity, making it a perfect launchpad for market entry.
Comprehensive facilities and services for nesting partners
The Polymers Center boasts a cutting-edge infrastructure tailored to the plastics industry. Companies participating in the Nesting program benefit from an extensive range of equipment: six extruders, three injection molding machines from various manufacturers, and a variety of auxiliary devices, including pelletizers, mixers, feeding systems, and filtration units. Additionally, tenants have access to a fully equipped laboratory capable of analyzing the physical properties, flow characteristics, and composition of plastic compounds.
Another advantage for Nesting partners is the Polymers Center’s ability to present equipment to potential customers on their behalf, even if the partner company cannot be on-site.
Sesotec leverages new location for training and customer proximity
At its new North Carolina location, Sesotec offers various training sessions, test runs, and customer events. The focus areas include metal detection, metal separation, and magnetic solutions for quality control in plastic products.
“While our Bartlett, Illinois, location is very well attended, we recognized that being closer to customers in the southeastern U.S. could save travel costs and allow us to provide quicker, more direct support,” says Patrick Sommers.
The Polymers Center also provides Nesting partners with office spaces, each fully furnished (3x3 meters), along with storage rooms for products and testing equipment. Additionally, there is a conference room for up to 45 people, suitable for training sessions, virtual meetings, and product presentations. Partners can also enhance their visibility with company signage at the facility.
Networking and collaboration at the Polymers Center
The unique advantages of the Nesting program extend beyond its state-of-the-art facilities to include interdisciplinary collaboration: “The concept allows us to build networks, showcase our technologies, and work closely with other OEMs on innovative solutions,” says Sommers. “What’s particularly impressive is the opportunity to learn from specialists at other companies and discover new approaches together.”
The Polymers Center also supports Nesting partners with various services, including administrative support, marketing assistance, and event planning. These services encompass organizing seminars and customer meetings, providing catering, and creating marketing materials such as brochures, LinkedIn posts, blog articles, and mailings.
Focus on European companies
To fill the remaining five spaces in the Nesting program, the Polymers Center is initially targeting companies from Europe, particularly Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The center’s staff has extensive experience and strong connections in these regions, facilitating market entry for international businesses.
Bill Murphy and Phil Shoemaker, the center’s director, both have held leadership roles in European companies and are well-connected in the industry.
The Polymers Center offers an ideal platform for entering the U.S. market while benefiting from extensive resources and a robust network. Companies participating in the Nesting program can showcase their technologies in the heart of the American plastics industry and access a broad range of services and facilities.
