The Polymer Nano Centrum Story
The tale of a business which moved from chemical trading to nanotechnological innovation.
In the heart of Central Europe, Polymer Nano Centrum has emerged as a leading innovator in the field of nanotechnology. Yet, unlike many institutions that research at the nanoscale, Polymer Nano Centrum's story is quite different—beginning its journey in 2004 as an industrial supplier of chemical raw materials.
For many years, the business grew and built success as a reliable source of industrial ingredients, primarily serving the glass, ceramic, polymer, agricultural, and oil industries. Led by its founder, Igor Shevchenko, the company expanded further, supplying chemical products across Europe, to Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Yet in a world where technology is proving vital, the company was drawn towards nanomaterials as a way to provide better industrial feedstocks to its growing list of clients.
It was through recognizing the transformative potential of nanotechnology, that the chemical business pivoted towards the development and application of nanostructured polymers.
“The business plan was based on the modification of polymer materials, that is to say the ability to change the properties of polymer materials by altering them at the nanoscale,” explained company CEO, Pavel Kuchalik in a recent interview. “That means manipulating materials measuring 100 nanometres or less. This is on a scale that is one billionth of a metre. To put that in a human scale, a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometres thick.”
The Strategic Shift Towards Nanotechnology
The decision to delve into nanotechnology was driven by a desire to add value to the raw materials it was supplying. The company also saw the limitation of conventional chemicals in a world where specialisation, sustainability, and customisation were of increasing importance.
It was this idea of tailormade polymer raw materials that drove the business forward. Such that by 2016, Polymer Nano Centrum had assembled a team of specialists in both industrial products and material science at the atomic scale. Through this understanding of raw material markets combined with academic knowledge of nanotechnology the team developed unique polymer nanostructuring technologies capable of enhancing the properties of polymers, such as improving strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance.
“Through the application of nanofibers or nanoparticles of metal oxide, the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the polymer can be improved,” notes Kuchalik. “This makes it possible to create new composites with improved properties and new applications in various sectors, which of course increases the ways they can be used.”
Establishing a State-of-the-Art Facility
In pursuit of advancing its research and production capabilities, in 2021 Polymer Nano Centrum acquired an industrial facility in Rakovník, just outside Prague in the Czech Republic. By mid-2022, the company had gained support from European Union funding and was able to complete the construction of a dedicated research and development Nano Centre.
Equipped with advanced instruments like Raman spectrometers, particle size analysers, extrusion plastometers, FTIR analysers, capillary rheometers, and dynamic mechanical analysers, the centre enables comprehensive research and development of nanotechnological products for the manufacturing sector.
Innovations in Nanostructured Polymers
Polymer Nano Centrum's nanostructuring technologies have led to the creation of polymer and resins with enhanced properties, including:
· Electrically conductive and antistatic capabilities
· Improved mechanical strength and flexibility
· UV protection
· Increased chemical and thermal resistance
· Improved durability
· Modified electromagnetic and surface properties
These advances have applications across various industries, such as electronics, defense, construction, automotive, and renewable energy. Allowing manufacturers to tailor the properties of a raw material to meet specific needs.
Looking Ahead
As Polymer Nano Centrum continues to grow, it remains committed to pushing the boundaries of nanotechnology. Consequently, it is expanding its production lines and further developing its research capabilities, aiming to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern industries.
Related articles: What is POLYMER NANO CENTRUM? and Where is POLYMER NANO CENTRUM Heading?
From its origins in chemical trade to its current status as a leader in nanotechnological innovation, Polymer Nano Centrum is a testament to how a business can evolve by embracing science and innovation—meeting the demands of the manufacturing sector and its growing customer base with precision-engineered nanotechnology.
To learn more about how nanotechnology can improve polymer products or how to apply nanomaterials as an industrial feedstock visit: Polymer Nano Centrum.
Photo credit: Polymer Nano Centrum, Maciej Kaliszewski on Unsplash, Polymer Nano Centrum, & Macrovector