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Product category: Internet and Electronic Resources for Engineers
News Release from: Smithers Rapra
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 13 December 2005

Project to provide online help in
plastics

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Rapra Technology has added its skills and resources to the multinational project team developing a Virtual Centre for Plastics (CVP) across Europe.

Rapra Technology has added its skills and resources to the multinational project team developing a Virtual Centre for Plastics (CVP) across Europe Together with IPTS-Metalchem of Poland, Rapra's expertise and resources will now help boost the European team's efforts to achieve its goals

This second stage of the virtual project is e-SeSME - electronic services for SMEs in the plastics supply chain.

The first stage, Intplastic, developed a pilot CVP, with the aim of improving the innovation and development potential of plastics processing companies in the southwest of France, Portugal and Spain.

This stage has been successful and those partners are now looking to extend it further through Europe.

The basic e-SeSME aim and mission will be "to sell high-quality, specialised services in a simple, functional and low-cost manner to companies in the plastics processing supply chain, through the full use of IT facilities, across Europe".

Suzanne Wilkinson is the Rapra Technology e-SeSME project co-ordinator.

"The central idea", she says, "is to provide and sell to companies in the European plastic processing supply chain (+85% SMEs) those relevant tools and services that they cannot afford themselves".

"The project is intended to help the European plastics industry develop, innovate and increase its global competitiveness".

The range of online services will include: e-engineering - products and services, such as simulation and design packages all available through the Internet; e-learning - to help increase staff capabilities through courses accessible on the Internet; technical information - cost-effective research, innovation, access to reports; digital services - access to databases, links, intelligent software; interactive software - accessible through the web to help with budgets, design and waste reduction; videoconferencing - to enable companies to speak to experts via the web; and a technology watch - to help make informed decisions on new technologies.

These services will centre on four main areas of concern for the industry: to increase plastic parts quality and performance; to reduce material and energy waste; to increase productivity and eco-efficiency; and to increase knowledge of EU and international regulatory/technical requirements.

"Online services in all areas of business are here to stay", says Wilkinson.

"Plastics manufacturing can only profit from what will be developed by e-SeSME in the coming months", she adds.

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