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03/12/2024

SPE Foundation and Brightmark® Announce First-Of-Its-Kind Scholarship Fund for Georgia Tech Students


The SPE Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Brightmark Scholarship in Plastics Circularity endowment. In collaboration with the SPE Foundation, Brightmark, a circular innovation company with a mission to Reimagine Waste®, has created an enduring legacy by establishing an endowed scholarship intended for students attending the Georgia Institute of Technology.


01/17/2024

Juliana Montoya Joins SPE as Plastics Engineering Content Director


SPE is excited to welcome Juliana Montoya as the new Content Director for Plastics Engineering (PE). With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Montoya brings a wealth of expertise and a creative viewpoint to the publication.


01/08/2024

Call for SPE Instructors


Are you a knowledgeable professional with a passion for sharing your expertise in an impactful manner? We invite you to join our team of instructors as we develop educational programs and workshops for our audience of plastics professionals seeking to enhance their work skills and abilities. Instructors will lead workshops that break the mold, offering unique perspectives and insights that resonate with our audience.


01/08/2024

SPE Announces Newly Elected Board of Directors Members


SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members as well as a newly appointed president. Conor Carlin will assume the position of SPE President starting on January 1st, 2024. The president’s term will run from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024. Scott Eastman, Senior Manager R&D – DeWal, Rogers Corporation, will serve as SPE’s President-Elect from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024, when he will start his term as SPE president starting on January 1, 2025. 


12/08/2023

What’s in Store for the Future of Rotational Molding?


Get inside information about what the future holds for rotational molding at SPE’s must-attend event, “The Future of Rotomolding: Making Our Industry Innovative & Sustainable,” hosted by the SPE Rotational Molding Division and taking place online January 30-February 1, 2024. Connect with rotational molding leaders and learn about the trends that are shaping the industry moving forward.


11/07/2023

Are You Ready to Rock? Don't Miss ANTEC® 2024 in St. Louis!


The stage is set for ANTEC® 2024! SPE's annual technical conference--taking place March 4-7 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in St. Louis, MO --will showcase the latest advances in industrial, national, laboratory, and academic work focused on plastics and polymer science. For 2024, we're cranking up the excitement with a limited-time, limited-space All-Access VIP Experience that will have you living large! This is your chance to experience ANTEC® like never before!


10/10/2023

ImplementAM Joins Forces with SPE and 3Dnatives to Elevate Additive Manufacturing Education


ImplementAM, the frontrunner in educational one-day workshops focused on 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies, has been acquired by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE). This is SPE’s second acquisition in additive manufacturing, following its purchase of 3Dnatives earlier this year. Together, the shared goal of the three businesses is to bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing-based businesses and the transformative world of additive manufacturing and 3D printing, offering innovative ways to enhance manufacturing processes.


08/17/2023

SimForm Announced as SPE Preferred Partner


SPE recently announced SimForm as an SPE Preferred Partner. SimForm, a Maya HTT app, gives mold makers and molders the power to predict mold and part temperatures, while allowing the best mold design decisions, especially regarding cooling. Developed by engineering and industry software development experts, SimForm puts easy thermal simulation in the hands of mold designers.


06/21/2023

SPE Foundation Expands Board and Strengthens Commitment to Plastics Education
SPE Foundation


The SPE Foundation is pleased to announce the election of four new Board members. Albert McGovern, Steve Zamprelli, Matt Urfali, and Greg Adams have been elected to serve on the Board for a three-year term.


06/06/2023

SPE Joins “Molding Workforce Inclusion” Program as Partner
SPE General News


SPE recently announced its partnership with the groundbreaking initiative, "Molding Workforce Inclusion," funded by the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF). This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize the plastics industry and foster disability inclusivity across the United States.


05/10/2023

Gain Hands-On Experience - Check out SPE's Online Workshops!
SPE General News


SPE's online educational Technical Workshops are designed to help Plastics Professionals gain deeper understanding of plastics technologies and applications through participation and collaboration, focusing on in-depth processes. SPE is also presenting a series of online workshops presented in Spanish!


04/11/2023

Celanese Foundation Provides Substantial Grant to SPE Foundation
SPE Foundation


The Celanese Foundation, part of Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), (NYSE: CE), a global specialty materials and chemical company, recently granted $50,000 to fund the SPE Foundation’s work in Detroit and Dallas. The grant will be used to sponsor SPE After-School STEM Clubs, Ecotek Lab collaboration, and  the PlastiVan® programming, which upholds the Foundation’s three-pronged approach to enrich and develop future workforce for the plastics industry.


03/22/2023

DuPont™ Tedlar® Donates $20,000 to SPE Foundation
SPE Foundation


DuPont™ Tedlar®, the global leader in technology-based materials and solutions, recently donated $20,000 to the SPE Foundation to support the Foundation’s three-pronged approach to enrich and develop future workforce for the plastics industry. 


03/20/2023

SPE Foundation's PlastiVan Brings Real-World STEM to McKinney, TX, Faubion Middle School
SPE Foundation


SPE Foundation PlastiVan Educator Evan Morton discusses the science behind plastics engineering with McKinney, TX, Faubion Middle School students on Wednesday, March 16.


02/27/2023

SPE Acquires 3Dnatives, the Leading Global Media and Event Platform for Additive Manufacturing
SPE General News


SPE has acquired 3Dnatives, a French company that produces a media platform and international events for professionals in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and their related market applications. Joining with 3Dnatives expands SPE’s expertise in the plastics and additive manufacturing industries and gives SPE members unprecedented access to the science and technologies they need to know.


02/22/2023

SPE Supports Plastics Professionals During Financial Hardship
SPE General News


SPE is offering new and renewed memberships at no cost for one year, for those faced with sudden loss of income due to unemployment or other financial hardships.


02/14/2023

SPE Announces HSM Award Recipients for 2023
SPE General News


SPE recently announced the 2023 recipients for its prestigious Honored Service Members (HSM) Award. The SPE HSM program started in 1992 with 354 members named Honored Service Members since the program was launched. To be elected an Honored Service Member, a candidate shall have demonstrated long-term, outstanding service to, and support of, SPE and its objectives.


02/14/2023

SPE 2023 Fellow of Society Awards Recipients Announced
SPE General News


In early January, SPE announced the 2023 recipients of its Fellow of Society Award. The Fellow of the Society program was established in 1984 and 359 SPE members have been awarded with the Fellow title since its inception. The Fellow of Society program honors SPE members for their outstanding contributions in the field of plastics engineering, science/technology, or in the management of such activities.


02/14/2023

SPE President Bruce Mulholland Appoints Four to Board of Directors
SPE General News


SPE President Bruce Mulholland appointed four new directors to the SPE Board of Directors for the year 2023. Each of the following will serve a one-year appointment: Jeremy Dworshak, Molding Research Specialist, 3M; Diane Marret, Research & Development Project Manager, Berry Global; Margaret Sobkowicz Kline, Ph.D. Professor of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Gustavo Nechar, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Ascend Performance Materials.


01/28/2023

ANTEC® 2023 Program Announced


Taking place March 27-30, at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO, ANTEC® 2023 features a technical program focused on four themes: Advances in Materials and Characterization, Sustainability, Polymer Processing and Equipment, and Digitalization and Additive Manufacturing. Program includes 18 tracks with over 115 sessions as well as three plenary presentations - all focused on the latest advances in industrial, national laboratory, and academic work. Are you looking to build your plastics knowledge and take that information back to your projects and processes? Then this year's ANTEC® technical program is for you!


01/16/2023

Brabender® Announced As SPE Preferred Partner
Industry News


SPE recently announced Brabender® as an SPE Preferred Partner. Since 1923, Brabender® has been a leading manufacturer of instruments and equipment for testing material quality and physical characteristics in all fields of research, development, and industrial production in the chemical and food industries around the world.


03/05/2023

FlexPackCon® 2023 Announces Call for Abstracts
SPE General News


FlexPackCon® 2023, taking place October 10-12 in Montreal, QC, is SPE's premier technical conference focused on flexible packaging. Presented by the SPE Flexible Packaging Division, FlexPackCon® 2023 is inviting material and equipment suppliers, processors, converters, packagers, brand owners, academia, and other industry influencers to submit abstracts for presentations focused on key trends and the latest technology advances in flexible packaging. 


12/07/2022

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 three-hour workshops. These Pre-ANTEC® workshops are a “deep dive” into topics of interest to ANTEC® attendees, offering additional learning opportunities while at the event. Workshops will be held at the Hilton Denver City Center, the ANTEC® host hotel.


12/02/2022

SPE Announces Newly Elected Board of Directors Members


SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members as well as a newly appointed president. Bruce Mulholland will assume the position of SPE President starting on January 1st, 2023. The president’s term will run from January 1, 2023, until December 31, 2023. Conor Carlin, Managing Director, Illig North America, will serve as SPE’s President-Elect from January 1, 2023, until December 31, 2023. Additionally, three SPE Directors have been elected to the Board of Directors: Todd Bier, Account Manager, Palmer Holland, Inc.; Praveen Boopalachandran, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Dow; and Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Quote Engineer, Cytivia. 


12/02/2022

SPE Foundation Scholarship Applications Are Now Open
SPE Foundation


The SPE Foundation offers numerous scholarships to students who have demonstrated or expressed an interest in the plastics industry. They must be majoring in or taking courses that would be beneficial to a career in the plastics industry. This would include, but is not limited to, plastics engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, journalism or communications. All applicants must be in good standing with their colleges. Applications for our 2023-2024 SPE Foundation Scholarships are open until April 1, 2023.


11/16/2022

SPE Flexible Packaging Division Announces FlexPackCon® 2023


SPE’s Flexible Packaging Division recently announced FlexPackCon® 2023, taking place October 10-12, 2023, in Montreal, QC, Canada. From materials and equipment suppliers to processors, converters, packagers, and brand owners, the event spans the supply chain.  Engineers, researchers, marketers, and other flexible packaging professionals come together to learn about new developments in materials, trends, challenges, and opportunities in this double-digit growth market.


11/15/2022

New for 2023! ANTEC® VIP Experience


Registration for ANTEC® 2023, taking place March 27-30, 2023 at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO, is now open! We're offering a limited-time/limited-space opportunity to get in on our exciting new ANTEC® VIP Experience! The ANTEC® VIP Experience is a complimentary upgrade to your registration that gives you fantastic perks and benefits to enhance your overall ANTEC® experience.


11/01/2022

SPE Foundation and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Announce Polymer Science Patch
SPE Foundation


In collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, the SPE Foundation has created its first SPE Color Your World with Polymer Science Girl Scout patch. The newly released patch was introduced during Color Your World with Science, a science and engineering event, which took place at the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas STEM Center of Excellence in Dallas, TX. More than 200 Girl Scouts earned their patch and saw first-hand how polymer scientists and engineers are improving our world by developing new materials to make items like shoes, bike helmets, car parts, and more.


10/27/2022

Call for ANTEC® 2023 Student Posters


SPE is accepting Student Posters for ANTEC® 2023, taking place March 27-30 at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO. We're asking for posters focused on findings in plastics technologies, polymer research, new materials, and processes. Do you have something that is totally unique or a general but relevant topic that can reach everyone? If so, submit your poster today!


10/26/2022

Is Your Work Ready for Plastics Prime Time?


SPE is looking for Speakers for ANTEC® 2023, taking place March 27-30 at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, CO. ANTEC® is the perfect event to share your research or your company’s latest developments on plastics and polymer technologies.


10/07/2022

ANTEC® 2023 Slated for March in Denver


SPE is hosting ANTEC® 2023 at the Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, CO from March 27–30, 2023. ANTEC® 2023 will showcase the latest advances in industrial, national laboratory, and academic work. At ANTEC® 2023, there will be multiple opportunities to spend time with colleagues at SPE-hosted meetings, receptions, luncheons, and SPE Chapter networking events. Registration details coming soon but put it on your calendar today!


10/06/2022

COVIA Announced as SPE Preferred Partner


SPE recently announced Covia as an SPE Preferred Partner. Covia is a leading provider of mineral-based solutions for industrial markets. The company specializes in production of ultrafine, micronized mineral fillers and additives that are applied in variety of plastic applications.


10/06/2022

Dr. Iván López Named SPE Director of Technical Programs


Dr. Iván D. López has been appointed as new Director of Technical Programs at SPE. In this role, Dr. López will create new virtual and in-person education events, identifying subject matter experts and growing SPE’s portfolio of technical programs. “Dr. López’s established experience of working in polymer sciences will be key to developing innovative programs and educational opportunities for our members and for those in the plastics industry,” said Patrick Farrey, CEO of SPE.


09/29/2022

Plastics Engineering Wins Folio Awards


SPE’s Plastics Engineering (PE) magazine was recently awarded two EDDIEs from Folio magazine. The first was awarded for Robert Grace’s June 2021 feature, "Overcoming Gender Bias in Design." The article was recognized in the category “Single Article/Association, Non-profit, Professional, Membership Association.” The second EDDIE was an Honorable Mention in the category “Range of Work by a Single Author, Association, Non-profit.” The work submitted featured six articles by Grace that emphasized the importance of educating technically sophisticated engineers and others about the importance of design in product development, as well as in market trends and emerging material and process developments.


09/20/2022

SPE Names Alformet Preferred Partner


SPE recently announced Alformet as a SPE Preferred Partner. Alformet specializes in an additive manufacturing process which uses laser radiation as a heat source for welding continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFR TP) pre-impregnated material, commonly known as UD-tapes.


09/15/2022

SPE Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients
SPE Foundation


The SPE Foundation is pleased to announce their scholarship recipients for 2022. Each recipient has demonstrated or expressed an interest in the plastics industry and all are majoring in or taking courses that would be beneficial to a career in plastics. Altogether, the SPE Foundation helped award 77 scholarships totaling $191,875 to 51 students for 2022.


08/24/2022

Sue Milazzo Wojnicki Named SPE Chief Operating Officer


SPE recently announced Sue Milazzo Wojnicki's promotion to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In her role, Sue will oversee SPE’s operational processes to produce a superb member/stakeholder experience.  Sue will also manage SPE's day-to-day business operations, working closely with the CEO and with all SPE employees, ensuring that the company’s operations support and advance SPE's vision and strategy.


08/24/2022

SPE Announces TA Instruments as Preferred Partner


SPE recently announced TA Instruments as a SPE Preferred Partner. TA Instruments is the world leader in manufacturing industry-leading systems for thermal analysis, rheology, microcalorimetry and mechanical analysis. Their reliable technology helps scientists in top laboratories test the physical properties of their materials. From medical devices to recycled plastics, material analysis and development across diverse industries is made possible by TA Instruments.


10/06/2022

Maximize Your Leadership Potential


If you’re considering moving into a leadership role, either to manage people or projects, now is the perfect time. But are you prepared to make the move? SPE can help maximize your leadership potential through its newly launched Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics program. Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics is a six-month, cohort-based, virtual program, with the inaugural session running from October 2022 through March 2023. No other Leadership Certificate program exists that is specifically designed for those in the plastics industry. 


08/11/2022

SPE Foundation Board Names Harthcock as New Chair
SPE Foundation


The SPE Foundation Board is pleased to announce Dr. Matthew Harthcock as its new chair. He is replacing the Foundation Board’s previous chair, Dr. David Kusuma. Dr. Harthcock assumed the chair position on July 1, 2022, with his term running until June 30, 2023. Dr. Harthcock has been a member of the SPE Foundation board since 2021.


08/02/2022

Need to Know About Flame Retardants?


Taking place virtually the week of August 22-26, 2022, this event, hosted by the Non-Halogen Flame Retardant Materials TIG and Pinfa North America, will take an in-depth look at emerging technologies in flame retardants. The week is divided into flame retardant innovations including non-halogenated flame retardants, developments in smoke suppressants and enhancing non-halogenated retardants.


08/02/2022

Additives & Color Middle East Virtual Event Taking Place September 1


Taking place virtually on September 1, SPE's Additives & Color Middle East Conference is focused on the latest innovations, technologies, and best practices used in the Middle East for improved performance, manufacturing productivity and quality.


06/30/2022

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®.



06/27/2022

SPE Launches New Podcast at ANTEC®


Plastics and Beyond, a new monthly podcast hosted by Lilian Judy, is designed to provide in-depth conversations around inclusion in the plastics industry, while exploring the trials, tribulations and discrimination underrepresented groups have had to overcome and are still facing. The first episode includes two special guests: Patrick Farrey, CEO of SPE and Eve Vitale, Chief Executive of the SPE Foundation. They discuss why SPE is embarking on a DEI journey, share some firsthand experiences and explore some challenges they may face.


06/27/2022

Dr. Brian Landes Honored with SPE’s President’s Cup Award


Brian Landes, SPE's President from 2019-2020, was recently named as the 2022 recipient of the Society’s President’s Cup Award. Dr. Jason Lyons, SPE President, presented the award to Dr. Landes during SPE's Honors & Awards Lunch Ceremony, which took place during ANTEC® 2022 in Charlotte, NC.


06/23/2022

ANTEC® Report: Disabled Are a Productive Workforce


Keynote speakers on the first day of ANTEC® included several who discussed employment strategies to overcome a tight labor market. In a previous posting we highlighted Lloyd Martin of CKS Packaging, who detailed the company’s “second chance program” that recruits the homeless and nonviolent offenders for company jobs—workers who now account for over 10 percent of the 3,000-plus workforce in the firm’s 26 plants.



06/20/2022

ANTEC® Report: The Homeless And Nonviolent Offenders Are A Talent Pool


The job market is tight. Recruiting, training and retaining workers is a challenge. No surprise then that employment strategies were among the topics discussed by keynote speakers on Day 1 of last week’s ANTEC conference, held June 14 to 16, in Charlotte, N.C.



06/15/2022

ANTEC® 2022 Recap: Face-to-Face - First In-Person ANTEC® in 3 Years Kicks Off


When SPE’s ANTEC® conference got under way on June 14, in Charlotte, N.C., it had been 1,185 days since the last in-person event, said Dr. Jason Lyons, SPE president and global market manager at Arkema. Lyons welcomed attendees to the first event of ANTEC® 2022: Keynotes on topics ranging from the economy to circularity, training and new ways—for most companies—to recruit, hire and retain good workers in a tight labor market. 



06/03/2022

SPE Foundation Partners with Texas School District to Pilot Middle School STEM Club
SPE Foundation


McKinney Independent School District in McKinney, TX, has partnered with SPE and Manner Polymers to pilot a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Club at Faubion Middle School that will be the first ever cohort of its kind in the state of Texas.


04/20/2022

SPE Announces DOMO as Preferred Partner


SPE recently announced DOMO Engineered Materials US, part of DOMO Chemicals, as a SPE Preferred Partner. DOMO Engineered Materials plant in Buford, Georgia, operates as a custom compounder that produces a unique product portfolio. With a core business focused on PA6 and PA66 via DOMO’s complete vertical integration, the company also formulates and compounds via multiple base polymers, fillers, and additives for specialty applications.










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