CAPIS, a joint research centre for advanced polymer technologies, has opened through a collaboration between Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, and Vulkan Industrial Group. The centre aims to connect university research with production needs and support the development of industrial solutions in the polymer sector.
The opening ceremony took place on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, bringing together industry managers, academics, researchers, and provincial and local officials. The centre is based at Mabna Baspar Espadana, part of Vulkan Industrial Group, in Najafabad Industrial Estate No. 2.
Connecting Academic Expertise with Industrial Experience
CAPIS brings together university research capabilities and practical industrial experience. Vulkan Industrial Group has funded the establishment and equipping of the centre and provided its industrial setting. Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, contributes its academic and research expertise to the collaboration.
Locating the centre within an industrial environment creates opportunities for researchers to engage more closely with production challenges. Under this approach, business needs provide the starting point for collaboration, with academic knowledge and manufacturing experience informing how those needs are assessed and addressed.
A Focus on Polymer Industry Challenges
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Farid Naeimi, President of Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, emphasised the importance of directing university research towards industrial problem-solving. He highlighted direct engagement with production environments as a way to understand industry needs and strengthen the practical relevance of research.
Majid Hashemzadeh, Head of the centre, identified recognising genuine industrial needs and translating them into clearly defined problems as a priority for CAPIS. Depending on the need, a collaboration may address product development, a technical solution or a management solution.
This focus is relevant to industries that use polymer materials and components, where material selection, component performance and operating conditions are closely connected to product quality and continuity of production.
Matching the Approach to the Challenge
Hamidreza Nasri, Deputy Head of Vulkan Industrial Group and a member of the CAPIS Strategic Council, outlined the importance of choosing an appropriate route for each industrial challenge. Depending on the need, this may involve using existing technology, adapting or transferring technology, collaborating with specialists and technology companies, or undertaking research and development.
Within this approach, CAPIS intends to organise the scientific and industrial capabilities required for a particular problem. Collaboration with universities, specialists, laboratories and industrial businesses forms part of the centre’s development model.
Priorities Following the Opening
The priorities outlined for the next stage included expanding the collaboration network, defining technology priorities and selecting specific industrial challenges to pursue. The stated aim is to take selected problems through solution development, assessment under real operating conditions and evaluation of results.
The opening marks the beginning of this collaborative path. Progress will depend on evidence from subsequent activities and projects, including how the solutions developed respond to industrial needs and what measurable results they deliver.
To explore opportunities for collaboration and discuss an industrial challenge, contact CAPIS.
