SPE National Week of Injection Molding

SPE News - December 20, 2024

What's Happening Around SPE

LyondellBasell - Solutions for a better tomorrow

Happy Holidays

Have a Joyous Season!

As 2024 comes to a close, SPE would like to wish our members and plastics industry professionals a safe and happy holiday season. We promise 2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever! Just so you don't miss out on any exciting SPE developments in the coming new year, make sure your profile is up to date. And, as always, thank you for your loyalty and support of SPE!

Shaping the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: SPE's Role in INC-5

Conor Carlin, SPE President, Patrick Farrey, SPE CEO, and Iván López, SPE's Director of Technical Programs, joined thousands of global delegates at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Fifth Session (INC-5), in Busan, South Korea to observe negotiations to adopt a legally binding international treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. Carlin, Farrey, and López engaged with stakeholders to identify how SPE’s unique technical and educational expertise could support the treaty’s objectives. Read Conor's in-depth report here.

SPE Injection Molding IMPACT Performance Awards

Celebrate Your Excellence in Injection Molding!

SPE and the SPE Injection Molding Division invite you to enter the IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards, a prestigious program celebrating groundbreaking achievements in injection molding. This is your opportunity to showcase your designs, manufacturing breakthroughs, and innovative applications. Students - want to be the GOAT of Injection Molding? You can enter your outstanding projects too! Entry Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025. Submission details here.

Be Part of SPE’s ANTEC® in 2025!

Join us at ANTEC® from March 3–6, 2025, in Philadelphia, PA, where the plastics community will come together to explore the latest technical advancements shaping the future of plastics. ANTEC® offers more than just groundbreaking technologies—it’s an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow with your peers who share a passion for plastics and polymer science. Register today to take advantage of early bird pricing!

We Want Student Posters For ANTEC® 2025!

Students! Are you ready to present your research that pushes the boundaries of plastics technology at one of the best conferences in the plastics industry? SPE is searching for amazing student posters for ANTEC® 2025, the best place to showcase your innovative projects and cutting-edge ideas. Submit your poster today!

Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology

Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology  Call for Papers

SPE’s Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology announces a call for papers for an upcoming special issue focused on “Tackling Toxicity of PFAS is Changing Additives Landscape in Polymers." Theme and subthemes include: Novel PFAS-free additives; new in-situ detection methods of PFAS; separation and destruction of PFAS; PFAS-free additives in polymers; and more. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 15, 2025. Find out more here.

New Episode of PlastChicks® Podcast Out Now

PlastChicks Lynzie Nebel and Mercedes Landazuri host Lytia Watson, Vice President of Human Resources, Deceuninck North America. They discuss her educational journey, approaching impediments with curiosity, finding the best employees for your company, removing bias in hiring decisions, and building collaboration skills for success. They also talk about navigating the challenges of AI in the plastics industry for employers and staff. You can listen to the PlastChicks® podcast at 4spe.org/podcasts or on YouTube!

SPE Foundation

Celanese Foundation Supports Positive Plastics Education™

On behalf of Celanese Auburn Hills, the Celanese Foundation has made an exciting contribution of $35,000 to support Positive Plastics Education™ in Michigan in 2025! In addition to funding PlastiVan® visits, this generous donation will boost the SPE Junior Research program at the William D. Ford Career Technical Center, and directly empower six Celanese Junior Researchers in their hands-on research in plastics and manufacturing. Altogether, Celanese and the Celanese Foundation have donated $225,200 to support the work of the SPE Foundation. Thank you, Celanese, for helping us shape the future of sustainable plastics education!

Giving Tuesday Donations Contribute to 3D Printer Grants

Thank you to the 70 donors who generously contributed a total of $19,836 on Giving Tuesday to support 3D Printer Grants! This funding enables seven schools access to this innovative technology and receive a visit from PlastiVan®, benefiting hundreds of students and opening doors to exciting career opportunities in plastics and manufacturing. If you missed Giving Tuesday but would like to help meet the growing demand for 3D printers, you can make a difference at give.4spe.org.

Wiley

PlastiVan® Team Member Phread Ayres Passes Away

The SPE Foundation is sad to report the death of Phread Ayres, a beloved member of its PlastiVan® team. For years Phread enjoyed PlastiVan® in his Schuyler-Colfax Middle School science classroom in Wayne, NJ. His interest and excitement about the program led to his post-retirement gig as a PlastiVan® educator, serving the Northeast. “I had the pleasure of serving Phread’s students for years and I often bragged that Schuyler Colfax was one of my favorite schools. The students were great, but Phread and Samantha Bremer, both science teachers at the school, were a huge factor in my favoritism. I was elated to welcome Phread to our team,” said Eve Vitale, SPE Foundation Executive. Phread is survived by his wife Helen Matusow-Ayres and two children, Genna and Marcy. Phread Ayres's Obituary - Dennis, MA | Ever Loved

Chapter News

New SPE Southern Europe Regional Interest Group Approved

SPE’s new Southern Europe Regional Interest Group (RIG) covers Albania, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and 17 other countries in the region. Join their kick-off Zoom event, "Explore Trends in the Southern Europe Polymer/Plastics Market," on Thursday, January 23, 8:30–9:30 AM (EST). Discover market trends, upcoming initiatives, and meet the group’s leaders. Future plans include the 2026 Southern European Polyolefins Conference in Barcelona/Tarragona area of Spain.

SPE Molding Technologies Division Exhibiting at PT-EXPO

Molding Technologies Division will be exhibiting at PT-EXPO in Rosemont, IL from March 18 – 20, 2025. The division will be sharing a booth with SPE’s Chicago Section, as well as with Mark (Dr. Plastics) Wolverton, SPE Foundation PlastiVan® Educator. Make sure to visit us at booth #1239. To make it easier and less costly, we have complimentary show credentials available for you. Please click here for access to the show floor. Use discount code SPE100 when registering.

TopCon 2025 - Rotational Molding: Solving Complex Problems with Sustainable Solutions

Connect with rotational molding industry leaders and learn about industry trends that will help sustain and innovate the rotational molding industry. Join us at the Rotational Molding Division’s TopCon 2025, taking place April 28-April 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh, PA. We will be discussing design and manufacturing alternatives while solving complex problems with sustainable solutions. Read more.


SPE News Story Ideas?

Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Are you part of a chapter that is making an impact or a difference in the industry? Let us know if you have any story ideas for SPE News! Feel free to contact Chris Barry at cbarry@4spe.org.

Upcoming Events

  • SPE COURSE: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Failure and Compositional Analysis
    SPE COURSE: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Failure and Compositional Analysis
    January 23 | Online
    Register
  • SPE WORKSHOP: Material Selection and Product Durability for Sustainable Plastics in Buildings and Infrastructures
    SPE WORKSHOP: Material Selection and Product Durability for Sustainable Plastics in Buildings and Infrastructures
    Begins February 3 | Online
    Register
  • SPE WEBINAR: The Challenges of Plastics Testing
    SPE WEBINAR: The Challenges of Plastics Testing
    February 11 | Online
    Register
  • SPE WORKSHOP: Troubleshooting in Injection Molding
    SPE WORKSHOP: Troubleshooting in Injection Molding
    Begins February 20 | Online
    Register
  • SPE WORKSHOP: Troubleshooting in Injection Molding
    ANTEC® 2025
    March 3-6 | Philadelphia, PA
    Register
  • SPE WORKSHOP: Troubleshooting in Injection Molding
    SPE WORKSHOP: Failure in Plastics
    Begins March 17 | Online
    Register

View SPE's upcoming events


This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.

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