With the Impack Polymer Science Institute (IPSI), PT Impack Pratama Industri Tbk (IMPC) is establishing a new training and competence center for plastics technologies in Indonesia. The SKZ Plastics Center is supporting the center’s development with a comprehensive “train-the-trainer” program and is training future IPSI instructors to ensure the sustainable development of skilled workers in the ASEAN region.

SKZ Senior Trainer Mathias Ruckdeschel (center) with the future IPSI instructors. (Photo: IPSI)

“Train the Trainer” Program lays the Foundation for Sustainable Workforce Development

IMPC is one of the leading companies in the Indonesian plastics industry. Through IPSI, the company is making targeted investments in the training of future skilled workers and creating a platform to further develop training standards, improve the employability of young people, and sustainably support the industry’s growing workforce needs.

The IPSI training center is aimed at high school students, college students, recent graduates, and professionals, and is intended to establish itself in the long term as a leading center of excellence for plastics technologies in the ASEAN region. 

With more than 60 years of experience in research, development, testing, and training, the SKZ Plastics Center is an internationally recognized partner for companies and professionals in the plastics industry. Through this collaboration, in-depth insights from research and industrial practice are directly incorporated into the development of modern training structures in Indonesia.

“Train the Trainer” as the Foundation for Sustainable Knowledge Transfer
At the heart of the collaboration is a comprehensive “Train the Trainer” program in the fields of plastics science, compounding, extrusion, and injection molding technology. Future IPSI instructors are trained directly by SKZ experts.

The program began with twelve days of online instruction in May and June 2026. This was followed in late July 2026 by a five-day intensive on-site training session in Indonesia. In addition to in-depth technical knowledge, the training focused in particular on modern teaching methods, didactic concepts, and international best practices.

This approach ensures that the prospective trainers not only possess a solid foundation in polymer technology and plastics processing but are also able to convey this knowledge methodically and didactically at a high level.

Practical Training Programs for the Indonesian Plastics Industry
To begin with, IPSI plans to launch three training programs: “Fundamentals of Polymer Science and Manufacturing,” “Operator Training: Production Operator,” and “Operator Training: Maintenance Operator.” These training programs provide both fundamental knowledge of polymer science and practical skills in plastics processing. This includes, among other things, production processes, the operation of modern manufacturing equipment, and measures for the maintenance and upkeep of machines and processes.

The programs are aimed in particular at graduates of vocational and secondary schools, new production employees, and skilled workers who wish to expand their knowledge in the field of plastics and injection molding technology in a targeted manner. 

“The cooperation between IMPC, IPSI, and SKZ impressively demonstrates how sustainable knowledge transfer can succeed across national borders. By training local instructors, we are laying the groundwork for skilled workers to be trained locally in the long term. At the same time, this strengthens the international visibility of German plastics expertise,” says Matthias Ruff, Sales Manager for Training and Research / Procuration at SKZ.

“Training future instructors enables a sustainable transfer of knowledge and ensures high-quality, long-term plastics training in Indonesia. This permanently anchors plastics expertise locally and specifically promotes the development of qualified skilled workers,” adds Mathias Ruckdeschel, Senior Trainer in the field of Materials, Compounding, and Extrusion.

SKZ’s International Practical Training Expertise
The collaboration with IPSI underscores the SKZ’s international significance as an training and research partner for the plastics industry. Each year, more than 13,000 participants take part in SKZ’s training programs. In addition, the institute conducts numerous in-house training courses and qualification programs worldwide for companies in the plastics industry. 

SKZ also offers a comprehensive portfolio of practical training programs in English for international professionals and career changers. These programs cover all areas of plastics technology and support companies worldwide in training their employees.

A key quality feature of SKZ’s continuing education programs is their consistent practical focus. The institute’s own technical facilities and testing laboratories, along with modern research infrastructure, enable the application-oriented transfer of knowledge across the entire value chain of the plastics industry.

Further information on training programs
Further information on IPSI