ANTEC® 2026, which took place March 9-12 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, PA, brought the global plastics community together for two and a half days of technical exchange, collaboration, and forward-looking discussion on the technologies shaping the plastics industry. Hosted by SPE, a division of PLASTICS, the event welcomed more than 450 attendees from around the world, including scientists, engineers, academics, and industry leaders.
The conference featured 200+ technical speakers, five plenary presentations, and eight concurrent technical tracks covering polymer science, materials, processing, sustainability, bioplastics, product design, molding technologies, medical plastics, packaging, and infrastructure applications. Across sessions, speakers explored emerging advances in AI-enabled processing, sustainability, advanced recycling, additive manufacturing, polymer analysis, and materials performance, with an emphasis on solving real-world engineering and manufacturing challenges.
Tuesday's opening session began with an introduction by Lynzie Nebel, SPE's Chair, and remarks from Matt Seaholm, CEO of PLASTICS, who discussed the recently announced collaboration between PLASTICS and SPE and the opportunity to expand educational access and technical engagement across the global plastics community.
Five plenary presentations highlighted major trends looking toward the industry's future—from sustainable materials used across all market sectors, packaging regulations, dynamic chemistries used for recycling, and global plastics legislation. Forward-looking plenaries also examined how materials engineering, sustainability, and artificial intelligence will influence the next generation of plastics innovation.
Beyond the technical program, more than 30 sponsors and exhibitors supported the event, while networking opportunities—including a kick-off Welcome Reception, Student Poster Lunch, SPE Awards Luncheon, Off-Site Reception, and the Injection Molding Division Reception—created space for collaboration and new partnerships.
Student engagement was also a highlight, with plastics students presenting their research during the Student Poster Lunch, showcasing emerging academic work and the next generation of plastics talent.
The conference included recognition of leaders and innovators across the SPE community during the SPE Awards Luncheon, honoring SPE's Fellows of the Society, Honored Service Members, and members of the SPE Foundation Ambassador Giving Society. The inaugural IMPACT Injection Molding Awards, presented by the Injection Molding and Product Design & Development Technical Divisions, recognized outstanding innovation in injection molding, with submitted parts displayed and judged onsite.
Presentations, discussions, and connections made at ANTEC® 2026 reflected a shared focus on advancing plastics technology while addressing the evolving technical and sustainability challenges facing the industry.
