SpecialChem S.A., an Internet-based consultancy focusing on specialty chemicals and plastics, has announced the launch of the new Omnexus on-line platform dedicated to innovation and solutions through plastics and elastomers. The portal provides a continuous feed of reports on industry trends, a “polymer selector” to help engineers pick the right material for their projects, and industrial design support from a network of experts.
“Today, manufacturing industries are under strong pressure from low-cost producers based in emerging countries,” says Christophe Cabarry, founder and COO of SpecialChem. “We have been talking to many industrials recently, and their best way to fight cost competition is to innovate and reduce time to market. With Omnexus, we will provide industrial designers and engineers working in plastics and elastomers with technical services to create innovative products and implement better solutions, much faster.”
SpecialChem acquired Omnexus in December 2003 and has been canvassing the industry since then in preparation for improving, expanding, and relaunching the portal. The services offered through Omnexus are open to all designers and engineers involved in material selection and product design.
SpecialChem says that Omnexus should be especially helpful to those involved in high-tech industries such as automotive, electronics, packaging, appliances, medical, telecom, and audio/video. Membership to the Omnexus community is free of charge and gives access to all innovations and services.
“The new Omnexus is also an excellent way for suppliers serving the plastics and elastomers industry to promote new products and technologies,” Cabarry says. He adds that the port can “accelerate the introduction of their innovations, push complex solutions instead of raw materials, find new customers, or detect emerging market trends.”
SpecialChem, headquartered in Paris, supports a global community of more than 75,000 already registered industry professionals with efficient e-tools such as on-line databases and Web seminars. Through its network of industry experts, the company provides suppliers with marketing and business development services that are based on speed, targeting, global reach, and low-intensity use of resources.