CAREER WITH CHEMISTRY

Polymer Science
Polymer science is to chemistry what electronics is to physics. It is
most important part of chemistry today.

Plastic, polymer and synthetic
rubber technologies are some of the fastest growing industries.
Substances used to make these products are synthetic resins.
 
Plastic
technologists develop, adopt and supervise various processes for
manufacturing plastics. Some of the processes that are involved are
compression, heat moulding, lamination, calendaring, fabrication, and
vacuum forming.
 
Supervising these processes involves arranging
materials, studying the specifications, installing and operating
machines, tools, moulds and so on.
 
Machine operation of moulding,
injection and extrusion require operators working on laminating
presses, table machines, and so on.
Globally, the plastics and polymer industry has emerged as a major
sector of growth.

Demands from a variety of industries such as the
transport sector, household appliances and goods, packaging and
electrical and telecom industry have in turn accelerated research and
production generating employment in all sections of the industry. For
instance, synthetic rubber is now in great demand.

Opportunities exist
in technological applications, research and development, production
and marketing in industries that use these materials.
Almost everything we wear and almost everything we carry in our
pockets or bags are made of polymers.
Moreover, since 90 per cent of
polymer goods are disposable, they have an unlimited replenishing
market. Hence understandably, specialising in polymer and plastics
will make an excellent career.
 
The Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET)
Chennai, established under the ministry of petroleum and chemicals,
Government of India, and assisted by United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) is an autonomous institute that offers specialised
and practical training in plastic technology, engineering and testing.
 
The courses are designed to address the practical problems involved in
the relevant areas.
 
(CIPET)  courses are offered through eleven
regional extension centres and is recognised by the University of
Madras as a centre for conducting research leading to PhD in polymer
science and technology and polymer engineering.
 
All the eleven centres conduct a variety of courses, but for chemistry
students the following courses are specifically suited:
 
(i) Postgraduate diploma in plastic processing technology
(ii) Postgraduate diploma in plastic testing and conversion technology
 
Courses at (CIPET)  are of the level of IIT.