The SPE Library contains thousands of papers, presentations, journal briefs and recorded webinars from the best minds in the Plastics Industry. Spanning almost two decades, this collection of published research and development work in polymer science and plastics technology is a wealth of knowledge and information for anyone involved in plastics.
Important Update: SPE's Technical Library Is Evolving The SPE Technical Library will be retired on September 15, 2025, as we transition to Polymer Insights—a powerful, AI-driven platform designed to transform how plastics professionals access and apply technical knowledge. Polymer Insights delivers answers and insights to your questions that are sourced entirely from SPE-curated content, including decades of peer-reviewed research, technical papers, and industry expertise. This new tool goes beyond search—providing intelligent, contextual results tailored specifically to you.
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SPE News is our biweekly e-newsletter that will cover breaking industry developments with special emphasis on the people, chapters, and activities within SPE. In other words, SPE News is for you and about you!
Explore timely updates from SPE–Inspiring Plastics Professionals, featuring international events, leadership recognition, industry calls-to-action, student engagement, sustainability efforts, and professional development opportunities. From plastics treaty negotiations and high-impact awards to new episodes of the PlastChicks™ podcast and upcoming technical conferences, this issue highlights the breadth of SPE’s influence across the global plastics community.
Featured in this issue:
K 2025 Conference: Join industry leaders in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 8–15, 2025
Responsible Plastics 2025: Dual-track event on PFAS and microplastic challenges, Sept. 23–24, Pittsburgh, PA
SPE granted observer status at UN plastics treaty negotiations
Nominations open for 2026 Fellow of the Society and Honored Service Member awards (deadline: October 1, 2025)
ANTEC® 2026 heads to Pittsburgh, March 9–12, 2026, with expanded learning and networking
Kiefel’s Andreas Engelmann awarded the SPE President’s Cup
Injection Molding Performance Awards (IMPACT) now accepting entries
SPE members inducted into the 2025 Plastics Hall of Fame
Scientific Molding Pocket Guide available to support smarter manufacturing decisions
New PlastChicks™ podcast episode features Dr. Shilpa Manjure on bioplastics and leadership
SPE Foundation grant awarded to Girl Scout Claire Costello for a recycling initiative
Manner Polymers contributes $30K to Positive Plastics Education and PlastiVan® STEM programs
Thermoplastic Elastomers Conference announced for October 27–28, 2025 (online)
Call for papers open for Innovations in Polyolefins Conference (October 2026, Tarragona, Spain)
Optimizing Plastic Color Formulation Webinar – June 24 (Online)
Core Back Foam Injection Molding Course – September 2 (Online)
AI and Machine Learning in Polymer Informatics Workshop – Begins September 3 (Online)
Chemical Resistance of Plastics Course – September 4 (Online)
Failure of Plumbing Parts Course – September 9 (Online)
Extruded Profile Part Design Workshop – Begins September 11 (Online)
Stay informed with the latest from SPE–Inspiring Plastics Professionals, featuring breakthroughs in materials innovation, upcoming industry events, leadership development, sustainability initiatives, student engagement, and educational resources. This issue includes news on ANTEC® 2026, Responsible Plastics 2025, major awards, and opportunities to get involved through workshops, podcasts, and more.
Feature in this issue:
Kiefel’s Andreas Engelmann receives the SPE President’s Cup
ANTEC® 2026 to be held in Pittsburgh, March 9–12, 2026
Responsible Plastics 2025 event announced with dual tracks: PFAS and Microplastics
Call for PFAS track speakers for Responsible Plastics 2025 (deadline: May 30, 2025)
New SPE Student Chapter launched in Lahore, Pakistan
Scientific Molding Pocket Guide available for manufacturing professionals
Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics program begins September
New PlastChicks™ Podcast episode featuring Dr. Jennifer Hoffman of Eurofins | EAG
SPE Color and Appearance Division donates $35K to support plastics education
First-ever SPE Jr. Researchers high school team to compete at Thermoforming Conference
Plastic Decorating Technologies Workshop to be held online June 12–13, 2025
SPE seeks story ideas highlighting members or impactful chapter activities
Upcoming SPE course:
Failure of Plumbing Parts – May 19 (Online)
AI in Polymer Processing Workshop – Begins May 27 (Online)
Virtual Molding Defects Course – May 29 (Online)
Plastics in Composites and Lightweighting – June 2–4 (Online)
EV Batteries and Sustainable Manufacturing Workshop – Begins June 9 (Online)
Introduction to Plastic Decorating Technologies – June 12 (Online)
Development of Architectural Polymers Course – June 16 (Online)
Customer Needs Discovery Course – June 17 (Online)
Plastic Color Formulation Webinar – June 24 (Online)
Down to the Wire! Have you Registered for ANTEC® Yet?
SPE East Africa Chapter Established
Automotive Composites Conference & Expo Announces Call for Applications for ACCE & Rehkopf Scholarships
FlexPackCon® 2023 Call for Abstracts
SPE Supports Plastics Professionals During Financial Hardship
SPE Foundation Releases 2022 Impact Report
And more.
Kim McLoughlin Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science Braskem
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability. As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies. Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability. He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers. Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.
Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. Senior Director and Research Professor University of Toledo
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years. In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students. He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE.
Matt Hammernik Northeast Account Manager Hasco America
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.
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Any article that is cited in another manuscript or other work is required to use the correct reference style. Below is an example of the reference style for SPE articles:
Brown, H. L. and Jones, D. H. 2016, May.
"Insert title of paper here in quotes,"
ANTEC 2016 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA May 23-25, 2016. [On-line].
Society of Plastics Engineers, ISBN: 123-0-1234567-8-9, pp. 000-000.
Available: www.4spe.org.
Note: if there are more than three authors you may use the first author's name and et al. EG Brown, H. L. et al.
