Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Earn a degree in areas that are helpful to a polymer distributor

Polymer distributors and wholesalers have an in-depth knowledge of the science of polymers from construction to general behavior. Get hands-on experience in this field as you work in labs while getting a degree in chemistry or physics.

I recommend: Universities.com offers a listing where students can go to find a university or college that offers a degree in engineering technology in their state. It also has a listing of distance learning universities and colleges. World Wide Learn offers a summary for what a degree in electrical engineering entails along with the types of career a graduate could expect. It lists a series of colleges and universities offering online and on-site courses.

Utilize online offerings to keep current on global polymer distributor information

With ever-changing technologies, polymer distribution is an area where you need to keep current on industry changes. Taking courses and reading through tutorials online accomplishes this.

I recommend: ChemistryLand offers an online tutorial for those interested in learning about the polymers in plastics. It includes a link to a PowerPoint presentation, so you can share the information with others or learn while you are offline. Stanford University has a program called the Center on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies (CPIMA), dedicated to educating student from kindergarten all the way through graduate school. One of its goals is to introduce students to the latest ideas and techniques in polymer science.

Gain education in the various types of polymer trading and properties by attending seminars

When you work with polymer wholesale, it's helpful to know the various uses of polymers. Attending seminars gives you insight into facets and uses of the polymer industry. Local colleges are a great place to go to for seminars.

I recommend: The chemistry department for the University of Minnesota offers seminars on a regular basis. The seminars cover topics like "Polymer Self Assembly for Nanostructured Electronic Devices." Cornell Chemistry offers an ongoing lecture series in polymer science. It offers the series on an annual basis.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find companies that can handle your polymer distribution needs

Polymers are used as a primary building block in thousands of products, so they are in great demand by the manufacturing and engineering industries. Corporations with offices all over the world rely on an influx of polymers every day to keep up with the consumer demand for the various goods they produce. Almost every manufacturing company will require polymers for their plastic-based products and find it beneficial to work out long-term relationships with distributors.

I recommend: Get the polymers you need from Solvay Advanced Polymers and Bamberger Polymers.

Purchase wholesale polymer clay

Polymer clay is not actually a clay, but the name is derived from its similarity in texture and form. Because this material is so easy to shape and sculpt, it is used to make many different consumer products and is sold on its own as an arts and crafts supply. By purchasing this material from a wholesale B2B distributor, other companies can make their own artistic creations or sell the clay directly to the public.

I recommend: Order the clay you need from The Clay Store or Creative-Wholesale.

Deal with polymer resin distributors

Polymer resin distributors most often sell to engineering companies, as the resins are commonly used for automotive, medical, industrial and other such industries. Manufacturers of polymer even produce a product known as engineering polymer that suits the specific needs of these companies.

I recommend: Buy polymer resins from Ticona, Oxford Polymers and DuPont.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Work with polymer wholesalers that will give you the best deals possible on bulk purchases.
• •  Deal with polymer distributors and wholesalers that can handle specialty orders such as various colors of polymer materials.