Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program Awards Approximately $51 Million to the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio to Strengthen the Region’s Capacity as a Global Leader in Advanced Manufacturing
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced that it is slated to award approximately $51 million to the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, a consortium led by the Greater Akron Chamber in Ohio, to implement seven projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will grow the future of America’s materials manufacturing sector.
In October 2023, Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs in regions across the country as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.
“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”
“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”
As one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding, Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub will leverage this award to support projects that are:
- Building new sustainability and polymer lifecycle management workforce development programming;
- Scaling up production of bio-based butadiene in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and impact synthetic rubber supply chains on a global scale;
- Increasing pilot scale testing and validation of advanced carbon nanotube reinforced products to address critical U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities;
- Scaling up a liquid phase mixing process to achieve better composite uniformity for emerging materials;
- Developing a more environmentally safe anti-degradant to produce tires, rubber products, and plastics; and
- Commercializing the recycling of end-of-life tires by scaling up processes to recover and re-use functional polymers from discarded scrap tire waste products.
The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.
The Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub aims to tackle the severe climate and environmental impacts resulting from the use of fossil fuel-derived polymers (rubbers and plastics) through accelerating sustainable polymer manufacturing and commercialization in the United States. While polymers have long played an important role in American innovation, their conventional production has resulted in environmental challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. This Tech Hub will pair the largest concentration of plastics and rubber manufacturing plants, machines, and materials in North America with regional R&D partnerships to establish global leadership in emissions-advantaged plastic and rubber technology. This Hub will be complemented by EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge investment in Ohio that supports workforce training in Ohio in machining, robotics, and other industrial automation specialties. The Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub seeks to advance global decarbonization through innovation and equitable economic growth by bringing new polymer technologies to market that reduce fossil fuel consumption. (Click here to learn more about the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub)
“The Department of Commerce is laser focused on expanding economic opportunity to every corner of this country,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves. “The Tech Hubs program is a commitment to American economic prosperity and success. These 12 awardees embody the innovation and creativity that can be found nationwide, boosting U.S. manufacturing and bolstering U.S. global competitiveness, bringing President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to the forefront.”
“The 31 Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness.”
“I’m thrilled to announce the Akron Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub will receive approximately $51 million in federal funds thanks to the historic CHIPS and Science Act. While most people are familiar with the impact of the CHIPS and Science Act’s impact in central Ohio with the Intel plants, Ohio’s 13th District is making its mark by leading in polymer development, research, and sustainability. I’m proud to have worked with our local and federal stakeholders to bring these vital funds back to our district to create good-paying jobs and grow our local economy. This investment will ensure Northeast Ohio remains a global leader and trailblazer in polymer science and polymer engineering, reaffirming our district’s legacy as the Rubber Capital of the World. From sustainable tires to cutting-edge polymers, the next generation of rubber and plastics production will proudly be made here in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District,” said Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13).
“Ohio’s manufacturing industry provides jobs, drives innovation, and supports economic growth in our communities,” said Representative Dave Joyce (OH-14). “That’s why in February I sent a letter of support to encourage the EDA to support the growth of Ohio’s manufacturing sector through this consortium and joined a bipartisan push with fellow members of the Ohio delegation to amplify the importance of these projects. I am proud to see this funding directed back home and look forward to seeing its implementation.
The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.
The United States is the global leader in research and development, and the Tech Hubs Program is designed to increase the capacity and pace with which Americans make, deliver, and deploy innovative technologies, creating new, growing companies and new, good jobs.
Read more about the Tech Hubs program at TechHubs.gov.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.