About Us

The beginnings of all things are small…

                                                ...Cicero


The Plastics Cluster (Plastr) was established in February 2006 as an Interest Association of Legal Entities with the aim to create a communication platform for its members – plastic product manufacturers. The main reason for cluster establishment was mainly the traditionally strong position of the plastics industry in the Zlín region (together with the rubber industry it represents the most powerful industrial segment of the region). Another reason is lack of qualified workforce, missing research and development facilities for plastic processors, the need for appropriate negotiation position in the purchase of services and products, and effective enforcement of the sector interests.

Plastr activities target the following priority areas: education and human resources development, research and innovation, cooperation, joint purchase of products and services, Plastr promotion and publicity. Essential is also the interaction with important institutions in the region – Tomas Bata University in Zlín (applied research, student internships, specialised bachelor study programme, cluster performance measurement and benchmarking), the Zlín Region (lobbying for plastic processing branch, preparation of the Regional Innovation Strategy), Association for the Development of the Zlín Region (regional strategy), Technology Innovation Center (project activities, competitions – Innovative Company of the Year, Best Business Student Plan). In cooperation with member secondary schools, Plastr is involved in the modification of the study plans of vocational subjects and in the promotion of the plastics processing sector to target groups (children – parents – educational advisors).

With significant cost savings for member companies, we already successfully purchase electricity and gas. A joint purchase of raw materials, overhead material and selected services is in the pilot phase.