Welcome Remarks (Oct. 20, 2020)

Any paper related to the color and/or appearance of plastic will be considered.  Appropriate topics might apply to one of these categories:

• Color Measurement
• Testing and Quality Control
• Color Matching Techniques
• Processing and Equipment
• Materials (Colorants, Additives, Polymers)
• Property Retention/Durability
• Instrumentation and Test Methods
• Regulatory Issues
• Color Trends
• Decorative or Special Effects
• Other Color/Appearance Related Topic

SPE Additive Manufacturing Special Interest Group invites you to submit your original work in the area of additive manufacturing/3D printing (3Dp) of plastics/composites.

Any paper related to composites will be considered.  Appropriate topics might apply to one of these categories:

• Thermoplastic Composites
• Thermosetting Composites
• Novel Manufacturing Methods
• Non-Destructive Inspection / Evaluation
• Nanocomposites
• Joining of Composites
• Long / Short Fiber Composites
• Properties / Characterization
• Continuous Fiber Composites
• Composites Repair, Reclaim and Recovery
• Sustainable Composites – Natural Fiber, Recyclable Composites
• Applications fields – Aerospace, Automotive, Construction, Energy, Medical, Packaging
• And more…

SPE Thermoplastic Elastomers Specialt Interest Group is seeking papers to cover advancements of the Thermoplastic Elastomers regarding:

• design,
• formulation,
• fabrication,
• sustainability,
• new application areas,
• structure-property-performance characterization / simulation,

in all applicable markets such as:

• automotive,
• medical,
• consumer goods,
• transportation,
• and electronics.

SPE Recycling Division is currently soliciting high-quality papers that expound on the very latest technologies. Be part of this exciting session by sharing your company or institution's recent advances and help us identify new technologies that will proliferate sustainability. Paper topics include, but are not limited to:

• Chemical and mechanical recycling
• Circularity of materials
• Tackling challenges in plastic waste
• Sustainability in materials, design and manufacturing
• Novel methods for deconstructing and upcycling existing plastic waste
• Innovative applications for material repurpose, reuse, recycle and upcycle

SPE Engineering Properties & Structure Division is focused on new topics and fundamental understanding in the interplay of plastics engineering and polymer science. This year, we are addressing the theme of:

“Tailoring Polymers for Targeted Performance”

Paper topics include, but are not limited to:

• Antimicrobial and antiviral polymer systems
• Multi-layer polymer structures and adhesion
• Reactive processing of polymers and coatings
• Coating and confinement effects on physical properties
• Inorganic composites and nanocomposites
• Modification of polymers for improved sustainability

We welcome papers on novel research in polymer science and engineering, polymer structure-property relationships, and mechanistic understanding of practical or applied problems.

Any paper related to bioplastics and/or renewable technologies will be considered.  Appropriate topics might apply to one of these categories:

• Innovations in Bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers and plastics
• Compostable or biodegradable Packaging and food contact innovations
• Additives for bio-based and biodegradable plastics
• Advancements in recycling of bioplastics
• New durable and biodegradable applications introduced in 2020
• Multi-use bio-based products
• Biodegradability of polymers and plastics outside of managed waste streams
• Technical Developments in Bioplastics or Bio-composites
• Carbon footprint and Life Cycle Assessment
• New Legislation and Regulations
• Breakthrough Process Technologies
• Innovative Applications and/or end uses
• Home and Industrial Compost-ability

If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Program Chair for ANTEC® 2021 Frank J. Popola.

Plastics play a major role in the piping industry. Applications include gas and water distribution, gas gathering/oil field production, residential plumbing, rehabilitation, irrigation, drain waste and vent, fire suppression system and many others. The choice of polymers instead of traditional pipe materials is due to the advancement in pipe materials, additive technology, processing systems, material characterization and test methods. Plastic pipe and fittings SIG is soliciting papers for the ANTEC® 2021, March 22 - March 26 at the Sheraton Denver in Downtown Denver, Colorado. Topics to be covered will include:

• Development of new pipe & fittings materials
• Innovation in processes including joining and installation
• Advances in test methods
• New applications of existing technology
• Success stories and challenges in plastic pipe applications
• Topics of current interest to the pipe and fittings industry

Papers dealing with these or allied topics will be considered for Plastic Pipe and Fittings sessions. The sessions will provide a unique meeting point to discuss current trends and opportunities for any professional working on pipe and fittings area comprised of thermoplastic and/or thermoset materials. This year, the SIG is also soliciting Technical Marketing Presentations which will be organized into sessions focused on specific topical areas. These sessions are intended to be a forum where new products, processes, and services can be effectively shared with ANTEC® attendees in a timely manner. While not intended as a sales presentation, no written paper is will be required. Rather a presentation is required that will be subject to review and approval by the ANTEC Advisory Committee.

We are also thrilled to announce that this year’s best presentation award will be sponsored by the SIG Organizing Committee. The award recognizes technology advancements for thermoplastic piping systems which connect communities through infrastructures in gas and water distribution, gas gathering/oil field production, residential plumbing, rehabilitation, irrigation, drain waste and vent, fire suppression systems and many others.

Inquiries—Please contact Nathanial Evans
Technical Program Co-Chair, Plastic Pipe and Fittings SIG
n.evans@bryanhaugerconsulting.com; Tel: +1 918.607.0619

SPE Mold Technologies Division is glad to announce that submissions for the 2021 ANTEC conference are now being accepted. Mold designers, engineers, makers, researchers, and educators, are all invited to present their research and development updates at our session! This would be the opportunity to connect with experts in your field and share great discussions around mold technologies and innovations. Submissions for the following topics are suggested:

• Innovation in mold design, engineering, and making technologies;
• Mold maintenance;
• Mold surface engineering and treatments;
• Mold design education and workforce development;
• Impact of COVID-19 on the plastic mold industry;
• And more…

The conference will be held in a hybrid format allowing everyone to participate, present, and engage remotely. Last year, the remote ANTEC® 2020 conference was a success for the Mold Technology Division, with more than 150 participants to our session and great Q&A discussion.

For additional information please contact our Technical Programming Chair, Davide Masato, Davide_Masato@uml.edu

Follow us on our new Linkedin page for more updates

The Flexible Packaging Division is looking for technically oriented papers and presentations on topics related to flexible packaging.

Examples include:

• improvements in barrier;
• new tie layer systems;
• flexible packaging equipment;
• breakthroughs in flexible package recycling;
• sustainable packaging solutions;
• smart & active packaging;
• e-commerce solutions;
• film extrusion and converting technologies;
• flexible package testing;
• And, novel pack functionality

SPE Polymer Analysis Division (PAD) invites presentations for ANTEC 2021 on the following topics, as well as others that can be considered Polymer Analysis.

• Processing-structure-properties relationships
• Analysis of biobased and biodegradable polymers/composites
• Hyphenated characterization techniques
• Emerging methods of polymer spectroscopy
• Characterization and analysis of polymers/blends/composites/ nano-materials/microfluidics/hydrogels/fibers/polymer additives
• Biocompatibility of plastics
• Advances in polymer analysis techniques
• Instrumental innovations

Applied Rheology Division of SPE aims to bring together academic and industrial scientists and researchers to share their research results and most recent innovations on all aspects of polymer rheology. The topics can be, but not limited to the following area:

• Theoretical and experimental work in all areas of rheology
• Relationships of processing-structure-rheology
• Rheology of polymer solutions, polymer melt, composites and colloid systems
• Application of rheology in innovative processing, product development and failure analysis

In addition to the industrial researchers and academic professionals, the graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate this virtual conference. The “Best Student Paper” in the Applied Rheology Division will be selected and awarded.

Please feel free to contact Qian Qin or Kurt Koppi for any questions.

You are invited to submit a paper for publication and presentation.

• Showcase your latest innovation in industrial, national laboratory and academic work
• Share your findings in polymer research or advancements in materials/ processes/ testing for healthcare and medical technology products and packaging

Topics of Interest Include:

For questions about paper submission, contact either of the ANTEC® 2021 TPC co-chairs:

You are invited to submit a paper for publication and presentation.

The Decoration and Assembly Division is looking for papers on the following topics:

• Post Covid-19 treatments and coatings for plastic surfaces
• Digital (ink jet) plastic decoration
• Adhesives for difficult to bond plastic surfaces
• Sustainable choices for plastic decoration
• Advances in laser technologies for decorated plastic
• Surface preparation for plastic decoration
• Decoration processes for additive manufactured parts
• Smart materials and coating technologies to create smart surfaces

ANTEC® 2021 Building and Infrastructure section call for all the papers that are related to Building and Infrastructure applications, especially new or improved materials (composite materials, recycle materials, energy saving materials, sustainable materials, self-healing/repairing materials, smart materials, polymers and additives), new technologies, new applications and new regulations under the following application suggestion list, but not limited to the list.

• Roofing, siding, fence, deck, trim boards, windows, doors, floors
• Pipes, insulations, wire & cable, bath and kitchens
• Paints & coatings, adhesives & sealants