Rapra Technology Limited

Contact: Paul Coupe

Shawbury
Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR
UK

Phone: +44 (0)1939 250383
Fax: +44 (0)1939 251118

Website

E-mail

Rapra Technology is Europe’s leading independent plastics and rubber consultancy. Rapra provides comprehensive consultancy, technology and information services for the polymer industry and industries using plastics and rubber in any component, product or production process. Company Statistics: * Formerly the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA) * Established 1919 * 5,000 clients worldwide per annum * 2,000 technical projects each year * World class Information Centre * 2 sites in the UK * 176 staff Working for industry Rapra provides specialist plastics and rubber technical, information and commercial services for the polymer industry and end-user industries including the automotive, construction, electrical, medical, offshore, packaging and polyurethane sectors. Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise and facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. Its capabilities lie in the skills and experience of its people, many of whom are recognised as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services,specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects, funded by EC and UK government and/or industry, to progress research and development of polymer technology and applications. Testing, analysis and calibration services Rapra’s physical testing, analytical and chemical laboratories are UKAS accredited to provide UKAS certification and test to a range of national and international standards. Numerous physical tests assess material properties such as abrasion, fatigue, impact and stress and their performance in products in particular conditions. Rapra’s analytical and chemical laboratories undertake materials identification and characterisation etc. using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. The latest fire testing technology and equipment is used to determine ignition sources, smoke generation and fume spread of polymeric materials and products. Rapra also calibrates length, dimension, mass, and temperature measuring equipment and test and sample preparation equipment to UKAS standards. We specialise in calibration of Shore Harness meters. Technical software and products Stemming from its technical consultancy, Rapra continues to develop specialist technical PC software to facilitate polymer use and processing. Materials Selection Software (Plascams and Rubacams) combine information and software to optimise the critical relationship of materials, design and processing. Knowledge based systems (KBS) were pioneered to provide comprehensive and accessible technical information, software, data sets, specifications, trade directories and detailed reference sections for plastics, rubber and polymer testing -all on CD-ROM. Technology services Rapra’s plastics and rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems and improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis and information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available, the following represents Rapra’s core technical expertise: * Materialsselection & application support * Product design & development * Manufacturing process development * Prototyping & small scale production * Engineering & tooling * Fault & failure diagnosis * Operating Environment & Health / Safety * Testing & Analysis Information services Rapra’s technical facilities are complemented by an extensive polymer Information Centre. Rapra Abstracts is the world’s most comprehensive plastics and rubber information database in the public domain. Available either on-line, on CD-ROM or via the internet, it contains over 700,000 references which are updated every two weeks. Rapra produces a range of publications including Journals, Industrial Analysis Reports, Review Reports and global Directories, detailed in a Publications Catalogue. Conferences Rapra brings together leading academics and industrialists in an annual programme of national and international conferences. Renowned for their quality coverage of polymer topics, Rapra conferences are of interest to polymer processors and industry-wide users. Technology Training Courses Rapra runs an extensive programme of short technology-based training courses covering materials, product design, processing techniques and environmental considerations. Recognised by the Institute of Materials Continuing Professional Development scheme, they aim to enhance in-house skills, help in identifying problems and to recognise potential opportunities.