Grand Opening of the New Laboratory and New Innovative Project / Study Room of FTPO

The Faculty of Polymer Technology is a state-of-the-art, internationally recognized, responsive, economically-related higher education and research institution that also acts as a promoter of regional development. It builds on the excellence of study, development and research, and enables students and industry to acquire knowledge from one of the most exciting technological fields in the world. Established in 2006 as a College of Polymer Technology and in February 2017 transformed into a Faculty. It is the only higher education institution in Slovenia and southern Europe that offers comprehensive study programs in the field of polymeric materials and technologies. The Faculty also provides applied, development and research support for projects in the field of polymeric materials and technologies. The R&D activity is based on state-of-the-art research equipment and experts, distinguished by state-of-the-art knowledge of materials and technologies and many experience in the economy. The research activity is focused on the development and processing of biopolymers, (bio) composites, functional polymers and 3D printing materials, improvement of recycling properties, characterization, testing of materials and analysis of defects.

Research work is carried out in laboratories equipped with modern laboratory equipment. We participate in numerous national and international research projects. In the last 6 years, we have managed to raise more than EUR 3 million for research and development. We are currently involved in 5 research projects, mainly in the field of biocomposite materials and circular economy development (CEL.KROG and START CIRCLES), metal substitution for e-mobility and home appliances (MapGears and PolyMetal) and Industry 4.0 (Cosima). 

In addition, in the last three years, we have significantly strengthened our marketing activities and services for companies. We advise and assist companies from Slovenia and abroad to solve problems in polymer processing, perform polymer characterization procedures, identify and correct errors in polymer processing, and optimize processing technologies. With advanced equipment, we test the preparation and processing of mixtures (composites) and cooperate with clients in the development of new products. Major development projects over the past two years have been running with BSH, Nazarje, Iskra ISD, Skaza Plastics, Ljubljana Magnets, Fragmat, Hirsch, Pipistrel, Geberit and Rotobox. We also provide training for companies in the form of custom workshops, conferences and seminars. We cooperate with more than 100 companies from Slovenia and abroad.

Due to the growth of all the activities of the Faculty, we decided to expand the facilities for laboratories. The new achievement of the Faculty was celebrated on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 with a Grand opening held at the premises of the Faculty of Polymer Technology.

The festive event was opened by Assoc. prof. dr. Miroslav Huskić, Acting Dean of FTPO, Tomaž Boh, Director of the Science Directorate at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and Tilen Klugler, Mayor of Municipality Slovenj Gradec.

An interesting round table discussion on topic »The future of the plastics industry in Slovenia« was held in the framework of the Inauguration ceremony, with important foreign and Slovenian partners from the industry. The participants at the round table were: Birgit Roscher senior director of sales at the German company Arburg; Václav Černý, Director of company Stäubli; Boštjan Gorjup, Managing Director of BSH Home Appliances Nazarje and President of the Chamber of Commerce; Robert Agnič, CEO of the company Plastika Skaza d.o.o.; Bojan Breznik, CEO of company O.P.S. Breznik d.o.o.; Janez Navodnik, Director of GIZ Grozd Plasttehnika and initiator of the founding of the Faculty and Maja Mešl, Director of FTPO.

The round table as well as the whole event was hosted by presenter Slavko Bobovnik, the musical input was provided by the outstanding harpist Naja Mohorič.

At the same time as the main event we inaugurated a new innovative project / study room, which was equipped and financed by our co-founder and a close partner company Plastika Skaza d.o.o.. With the engineers and other employees from the company we cooperate very good since the establishment of the Faculty, on the field of research and development as well as study. With our expertise and analytical equipment, we help them meet the challenges. Since mutual collaboration is also focused on developing the potential of future engineers and introducing modern forms of teaching, we have jointly designed the first Innovative project / study room that will allow students to develop a number of soft and general competencies that are needed for efficient and effective work in a rapidly changing global world.

After the official part we all moved to the location of the New laboratory, which is just 200 m away from the Faculty. In a celebratory ribbon cutting moment participated next to the FTPO Acting Dean and Director also Birgit Roscher, senior director of sales at the German company Arburg and Tomaž Boh, Director of the Science Directorate at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.

The New laboratory for processing and characterization of materials, measuring 360 m2, is an independent facility intended for research activities of the Faculty, implementation of educational activities and cooperation with industry. The new construction is about three times the size of the existing two laboratories. At FTPO, we are very pleased to be assisted by numerous Slovenian companies and foreign partners who have helped Faculty to cover the costs of relocation and research equipment of laboratories through donations and sponsorship funds. The German company ARBURG, a leading manufacturer of injection molding machines, has leased a new Injection molding machine worth 60,000 EUR to the FTPO at the start of the 2019/2020 academic year, which is a tremendous contribution to the Faculty's activities. At the beginning of 2019, we acquired a new mixing reactor for polymer synthesis. In addition, in cooperation with the Slovenian company SAN.KO.M d.o.o. we are also in the process of supplying two new single-pole extruders and a press for composites.

A sincere thank you to all donors and supporters, business partners and all visitors for their trust and attendance at such an important event. At FTPO, we are looking forward to the new collaborations and challenges that this new acquisition brings.

The highlights of the event you may see in the gallery bellow.