SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS 1999-2005

Some of the achievements, outputs and outcomes of the CRC for Polymers, during the six-year period of grant funding from 1999-2005, are summarised below.

Commercialisation

The following participants licensed technologies developed in the CRC-P:

• VisyPak icensed the high melt strength PET technology for use in Australia and New Zealand, and is using it for enhancing the properties of bottle grade PET by in-line reactive extrusion to produce an improved grade used to make high impact resistant thermoformed packaging trays.
•  Ciba licensed the high melt strength PET technology to commercialise it in other countries.
• Olex licensed the ceramifying polymer technology for cable applications and this technology is used in a new range of cables called Pyrolex™ Ceramifiable® launched in July 2003. Cable insulation made from ceramifying polymer compositions is converted into a ceramic material when exposed to fire. The technology eliminates the need to include a mineral filled glass tape in the construction of the cable, thus simplifying the design and production of fire performance cables. The cables have achieved significant marketing success, being specified for installation in many major commercial developments.
• Orica (the Engineering Plastics business formally owned by Qenos and now part of the Marplex business) licensed polymer modification and formulation technologies to be used in the production of cellular insulation and sheathing for cable production.
• SOLA licensed Centre technology used the production of a new range of sun lenses commercialised in May 2005.

The Centre created the following two spin-off companies:

• Ceram Polymerik was established to commercialise the ceramifying polymer technology in passive fire performance applications (including seals, and components in fixtures) other than cable products, and raised venture capital funding of $1.55 million in September 2004.
• Advanced Polymerik, which is completing the commercialisation of that Centre's intellectual property portfolio.

Education
One of the Centre's most enduring legacies will be its postgraduate students. The Centre has provided funding support for sixteen students who have completed their degrees, with eight finding employment in industry, four at positions with universities, one at ANSTO, one at Monash and one pursuing further studies.

Awards 
The following awards and grants were received:

• Olex and the CRC-P received a CRC Association 2004 Award for Excellence in Innovation for the ceramifying technology from the Minister for Science, The Honourable Peter McGauran, at the Association's Annual Conference in June 2004.
• The CRC-P received the 2004 Award for Best Collaboration involving a CRC for the development of ceramifying polymer technology at the Business/Higher Education Round Table Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Collaboration in Research & Development and Education & Training held in November 2004.

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Last Updated: 26 March 2008