Since August 2009, the Training/Skilled Crafts department of the IKV has been heading a new project aimed at optimising technology transfer in SMEs in different trades and crafts. The project is being implemented with the aid of the newly created competence network "PLENET NRW" (Plastics Education Network NRW), which consists of the IKV, qualified training institutions, organisations, trade associations and the plastics industry.

Over a period of 36 months, the IKV's Training/Skilled Crafts department, in cooperation with the other players in the network, is developing technology transfer methods for dealing with the technical know-how relating to innovative processing technologies. The IKV adopts the principle that SMEs in the crafts and trades should regard any confrontation with new materials, systems and processing techniques not only as a challenge but also as an outstanding opportunity to position themselves in a competitive market through specific qualification.

The following areas in which polymer materials are widely used will benefit from the results of the project:

• Plumbing/heating/air-conditioning
• Timber and plastics processing
• Building and extensions
• Cycle mechanics
• Metalworking
• Sewer renovation
• Processing of fibre composites (e.g. boat-building, plant construction, containers, pipelines, vehicle construction, rotor blade construction)
• Renewable energies, especially geothermal power

"PLENET NRW" offers companies operating in these fields access to topical information on the machining and processing of plastics, enabling them to tap new areas of business.

The project is sponsored by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) of the European Union.