SPE News - Jan. 6, 2023

Plastics Engineering

The November/December issue of Plastics Engineering is focused on sustainability, 3D-Printing, automotive innovations, PVC, and more.

Read November/December Issue

Plastics Engineering Highlights

Problem-Solving Plastics

With unique functionalities, smart plastics are taking polymers into new applications.

**Don't miss an issue of Plastics Engineering magazine!**

Subscribe or renew your subscription today at 4spe.org/subscribe.

Purdue and 9T Labs Collaborate on Printed Aerospace Composites

Purdue University is working with 9T Labs AG, an additive manufacturing technology developer, to research and test the potential of manufacturing structural aerospace composite applications with 9T’s Additive Fusion Technology.

What's Happening Around SPE

January is ANTEC® VIP Month!

Register for ANTEC® now and get in on our exciting new ANTEC® VIP Experience. Taking place March 27-30, 2023, at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO, we're offering a limited-time/limited-space, complimentary VIP upgrade to your registration that gives you fantastic perks and benefits to enhance your overall ANTEC® experience. Act now! You only have until January 31st to become an ANTEC® VIP!

Pre-ANTEC® Workshops Take a Deep Look at Plastics Technologies

On Monday, March 27th, the day before ANTEC® 2023 kicks off, SPE will host seven in-depth, three-hour workshops designed to help you expand your knowledge in plastics materials and processing. These Pre- ANTEC® workshops are a “deep dive” into topics of interest to ANTEC® attendees, offering additional learning opportunities while at the event. Pre-ANTEC® Workshops are taking place at the Hilton Denver City Center, the ANTEC® host hotel. Note: Pre-ANTEC® Workshop Registration is NOT part of your regular ANTEC® registration. To attend a workshop, you must register for a workshop separately from your ANTEC® registration.

Save the Dates! FlexPackCon® 2023 Coming in October!

From materials and equipment suppliers to processors, converters, packagers, and brand owners, FlexPackCon® 2023, presented by the SPE Flexible Packaging Division, spans the supply chain. Engineers, researchers, marketers, and other flexible packaging professionals will come together to learn about new developments in materials, trends, challenges, and opportunities in this double-digit growth market.

Update Your SPE Profile

As SPE continues its growth trajectory in 2023 – new programs, more educational opportunities, increased networking – it is important that you keep your SPE profile up-to-date. It's easy to do. Login at www.4spe.org and when the welcome page opens, click the profile link to make any updates. Do it today! You don't want to miss any valuable SPE information!

New Episode of Plastics & Beyond Podcast

Lilian Judy wraps up her first season with the Plastics & Beyond podcast by reflecting on her journey in understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); discussing her experiences and those of others with diverse backgrounds in engineering; and her hopes for improvements as younger generations who have higher expectations for DEI enter the engineering workforce.

SPE Foundation

Promoting Positive Plastics Education

By Eve Vitale and Chuck Jarrett for the SPE Automotive Division's Automotive Plastics News
Through a partnership with the SPE Foundation, the SPE Automotive Division impacted hundreds of students in the second half of 2022 with its support of positive plastics education. One such event that had a major impact on students happened back in July 2022 when Flex-N-Gate hosted students from Ecotek Lab and American International Academy in Detroit's District 3. During these field trips, students got to see plastics and metal manufacturing equipment all related to the automotive industry. Students also got to see first-hand white-light scanning and CMM technology.

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.