Semplastics Awarded $240,000 From Unique Space Florida and Israel Partnership

Orlando, Fla., July 09, 2018 – Through a unique grant program connecting Florida companies with Israeli companies in developing new technology for the aerospace industry, Oviedo-headquartered Semplastics was awarded $240,000.

In partnership with Israel-based Polymertal, Semplastics will conduct research and development to create a new material 70 percent lighter than materials currently available.

“This provides us a fantastic opportunity to create a new material system for space and aerospace applications,” says Bill Easter, CEO of Semplastics. “We look forward to doing our part to further the commercial space industry in Central Florida.”

The companies comprised one of 14 teams who applied for the funding and were one of four selected. They will merge their technologies and create unique, hybrid components with superior strength and high-temperature operating capabilities simultaneously reducing weight by 70 percent.

In October 2013, Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Fund created the $2 million recurring joint fund to support research, development and commercialization of aerospace and technology projects that benefit both Israel and Florida.

This is the second award for Semplastics under the program to utilize their new class of nano-materials and conduct research and development for space/aerospace applications.

In a press release from Space Florida, Governor Rick Scott said: “Through the Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership, we have worked together to support businesses that are helping strengthen Florida and Israel as global leaders for innovation. I’d like to congratulate today’s recipients and I look forward to seeing the innovation that is produced thanks to this partnership. We will continue to work with our partners in Israel to support projects that create new opportunities for our families.”

#  #  #

For more information media should contact –

Bill Easter, Semplastics, 407-353-6885, wgeaster@semplastics.com

Carol Ann Dykes Logue, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-635-9882, carolann.dykeslogue@ucf.edu

Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com

About Semplastics: Oviedo-based Semplastics has been supplying precision plastic engineered components to a broad range of industries for the past 15 years, including Semiconductor, Medical, Aerospace, and Oil&Gas industries. Semplastics provides a unique combination of plastics manufacturing expertise along with hands-on semiconductor processing experience. Our engineering staff has over 50 semiconductor process patents issued. In today’s challenging economy, reducing the cost of ownership is essential for semiconductor manufacturers. Semplastics has a proven track record of reducing the cost of ownership for semiconductor fabs. For more information, visit semplastics.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has helped more than 390 local startup companies reach their potential faster by providing vital business development resources.

With seven facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, and the cities of Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs.  For the 2014/15 and 2015/16 fiscal years, the activities of these participating firms have helped sustain more than 4,710 local jobs and have had a cumulative impact of more than $725 million on regional GDP and more than $1.3 billion on regional sales. During the same period, the program has returned $7.41 for every $1 invested in the program. For more information, visit incubator.ucf.edu

About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. spaceflorida.gov.