Hans Dorfi named executive director, chief innovation officer of Polymer Industry Cluster

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Hans Dorfi has been chosen to become executive director and chief innovation officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster, housed at the Greater Akron Chamber, effective July 7.
"I've always focused on building technology, building value, so I'm very committed to continuing that as I work with the cluster to develop the cluster, into a regional powerhouse and building on the legacy," Dorfi said. "So, for me, this is a clear evolution of my background and my career within the city, within this industry."
Further, he said, "I've also lived in Akron for over 30 years, so I've seen the potential this city has. I know what the growth potential is, but also the opportunity, and I think we can build something that's world class that makes the city and the region strong and economically vibrant."
Focusing on sustainable and advanced polymer applications and driving growth and employment in Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio, Dorfi will work with a group of collaborators in business, education, government and economic development, according to a news release from the chamber.
Through these partnerships, Dorfi will secure funding for the cluster, lead initiatives that support research and development and workforce growth and shape the cluster's future.
"From the start, this work has been about convening industry companies and partners to collaborate to create value and scale that we can't do as individual organizations,' said Steve Millard, president and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. 'Hans is a leader who has the track record to drive this effort forward. The goal for the region is growth to deliver more — more business attraction, more entrepreneurship, more innovation and job creation that leads to more opportunity for everyone that lives and moves here."
Brian Anderson left his role as vice president of the Polymer Industry Cluster at the end of 2024, Halee Gerenday, the chamber's director of marketing and communications, previously confirmed.
Dorfi most recently served as senior vice president at Bridgestone Americas, where, according to the release, he "led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products."
Dorfi attended The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology, where he earned advanced engineering degrees. He also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and as industry adviser to multiple institutions, such as Stanford, Ohio State and Virginia Tech.
Dorfi also serves as board chair of Bounce Innovation Hub. He was also involved in the creation of the Polymer Industry Cluster. He served on various committees that coincided with the cluster's work, including the cluster's leadership committee.
The cluster has raised more than $100 million, including more than $50 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce and more than $30 million from the state of Ohio.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce named Greater Akron the United States' only Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub. And multiple state government officials, including Gov. Mike DeWine, last year announced Greater Akron would serve as the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub.
The federal funding is moving forward, and the state dollars are being deployed, Dorfi said.
'Plus, as a next step, we need to continue to build on this funding to find additional sources, and this could be industry investment, it could be venture capital, it could be a variety of funds," Dorfi said.
Mark Smale, executive director of advanced polymer science at Bridgestone Americas and co-chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster, said, "Hans has a track record of collaborating to bring innovations to market, a strategic mindset and a passion to improve our community. He is the ideal inspirational leader to take the Tech Hub forward to the next level and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him in his new role.'
Erin Spring, senior director of global material science at Goodyear and co-chair of the cluster, said Dorfi stepping into his new role "marks an exciting new chapter for the Polymer Industry Cluster."
What's next for the Polymer Industry Cluster?
Bounce Innovation Hub will this July be rolling out a new accelerator focused on the polymer industry, Dorfi said. It will be called the Synthe6 Accelerator, he said, adding that the name is a play on words using the number for carbon on the periodic table of elements.
"If you look at that from a polymer focus, a lot of the polymers have carbon as the backbone," he said.
Plans for a new Polymer Pilot Plant are also moving forward, Dorfi said. The facility will be behind UA's National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC).
"So, we have the pilot plant that can synthesize materials, and then we have the NPIC facility that can make parts or demonstrate production processes based on these materials," he said. "So, you can make products that a customer or an investor or a potential customer could evaluate. I think that's an important message here too. We're not trying to duplicate anything. We're trying to take advantage of resources that are already here."
Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at [e-mail] or on X @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal's business and consumer newsletter, "What's the Deal?"
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hans Dorfi named executive director of Polymer Industry Cluster
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