Plastics Engineering

Midway through the year is a good time to look back on Plastics Engineering stories that exemplified innovation and the latest materials equipment and process technologies that impact all aspects of product development and applications in the plastics industry. Below are some highlights.

Remember July/August will focus on SPE’s 80^th Anniversary, which will celebrate this milestone while looking at the future of the plastics industry. Keep an eye out for it!

Midyear Plastics Engineering Highlights

Peace Maker (February)

Recycling is good, but plants can rouse local opposition. Brightmark CEO Bob Powell shares how to win support.

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Feel the Power (April)

Plastics spur growth in wearable diagnostics including self-healing electronic skin and self-powered devices.

Ocean Melody (April)

A YouTube creator works with conservation group 4ocean to turn plastics waste into a guitar.

Auto Initiatives Go Green (May)

OEMs and suppliers collaborate to reduce the carbon footprint of car parts.

Heads Up (June)

WaveCal helmet technology seeks to reduce the ‘silent epidemic’ of concussive brain trauma.

More ANTEC® 2022

ANTEC® 2022 Recap: Face-To-Face Highlights

Not only did ANTEC® 2022 host the highest level of technical papers and presentations that you’ve come to expect, but attendees connected with their plastics peers and friends face-to-face! At ANTEC® 2022, there were multiple opportunities to spend time with colleagues at SPE-hosted meetings, receptions, an Honors and Awards Luncheon, and additional SPE Chapter networking events. Check out event photo highlights, articles, and more!

ANTEC® Attendees Advised to Make Hiring More Supportive of Women

One obvious source of labor in a tight job market is women. And with 12.7 million Americans now working in manufacturing, and 860,000 positions unfilled, employers should actively recruit and train women when they need capable job candidates. So said Allison Grealis, founder, and president of Women in Manufacturing (WiM), a trade association based in Independence, Ohio. Grealis discussed the benefits of hiring women and making the workplace a supportive environment for them in a keynote session on June 14, at ANTEC®.

ANTEC® 2022 On-Demand Presentations Are Now Available

75+ hours of 'bonus' on-demand technical presentations are currently available whether you attended ANTEC® 2022 in person or not. NOTE: Recorded presentations do not include presentations from ANTEC® in-person. Those who attended in-person ANTEC® in Charlotte, NC, can access on-demand presentations as part of their ANTEC® 2022 registration. If you did not attend ANTEC® in Charlotte, you may purchase access to on-demand recordings.

What's Happening Around SPE

Nominations Open for 2023 Board of Directors

The SPE Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for four open board positions: President-Elect and three open seats for director. Members of the Board of Directors provide leadership for the Society as a whole and work together to serve the interests of its thousands of individual members. Board members frequently describe their volunteer leadership experience as having provided a significant and positive impact on their individual career growth. You may nominate yourself or you may nominate a colleague. Nomination submissions are being accepted now until August 31, 2022. This is an open nomination process. Only nominations received before August 31, 2022, will be considered.

Join Us for the National Week of Injection Molding

Taking place virtually the week of August 1-5, 2022, this week-long event, hosted by the SPE Injection Molding Division, will explore some of the most popular trends, techniques, and technologies that make Injection Molding one of the most versatile molding options available to you.

Call for Papers for JVAT Special Issue: Bio-Additives and Bio-fillers: Latest Trends and Future Needs

SPE’s Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology (JVAT) announces a call for papers for an upcoming special issue focused on “Bio-Additives and Bio-fillers: Latest Trends and Future Needs.” Additives and fillers are extensively used in the field of plastics technology. Among the wide range of available additives and fillers, increasing attention is being given to bio-fillers and bio-additives, i.e., those derived from renewable resources. The focus of this special issue is on the use of bio-additives and bio-fillers capturing innovations and needs. Call for Paper themes include: Development of bio-fillers and bio-additives; Effects of bio-additives in polymers; Processing of bio-filled polymers; End-of-life and sustainability issues. Submission closing date is October 31, 2022.

SPE News Story Ideas?

Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Have you heard about or are 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.

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