SLAMERP to promote industry training and development

Monday, 7 January 2019 02:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Three, two-day courses on finite element theory and applications starts on 8 January

Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) has taken an initiative to increasetraining and development of the manufactured rubber sector as it plansto expand the global presence and export volumes out of Sri Lanka. The industry is a billion-dollar export industry which supports the plantations industry of Sri Lanka.

“We need to upscale the rubber industry, as we are a leading manufacturer in global scale for products such as tires and gloves. Sri Lanka has the presence of leading global and local brands producing and supplying the world market,” saidSLAMERPDirector General Rohan Masakorala.

“As an industry, we are confident that rubber exports can be increased, but we are faced with few challenges to expand capacity as the volumes of natural rubber generated through local plantations is declining which has resulted in greater volumes to be imported. We are working closely with the rubber secretariat to address this issue along with the relevant line ministries and departments. We need more plantations, re plating and greater productivity to increase yield. Government needs to activate this process fast to support small holders as well as to have new large-scaleplantations in new areas, they need to work with provisional councils and authorities to support the rubber master plan which was launched few years back,” said Masakorala.

Secondly to diversify product base we need to upskill and adapt new technology. The Finite Element Analysis and Simulation centre (FEAS) was opened few months back which a public private partnership and was one of the major initiatives taken by SLAMERP in this direction. This institution brings new advanced design technology to rubber and plastic product development and many other industries too can learn from its applications to develop products. A series of two-day workshops have been organised at the FEAS centre from 8 January 2019 at the Rubber Research Institute in Ratmalana.This two-day work shop will have a theory and practical aspects on finite element theory and its applications, limitations and problem-solving using software. Interested individuals and companies can register by contactingKanchana KarunanayekaSenior Design Engineer, FEAS centre at [email protected] or on 0112638812 – 0718608662.