SPE COURSE: Material Characterization in Polymer Manufacturing: Addressing the Impact and Challenges of Recycled Materials
SPE COURSE
Material Characterization in Polymer Manufacturing: Addressing the Impact and Challenges of Recycled Materials
October 23, 2024; 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT.
Online
Together with 
Summary
The U.S. faces significant challenges in plastic recycling, with declining recycling rates and increasing waste generation highlighting the urgent need for improved recycling practices and material utilization. This webinar explores how comprehensive material characterization can empower manufacturers to effectively integrate recycled polymers into their processes, addressing a critical gap in the industry's transition towards a circular economy.
Who Should Attend:
This webinar is ideal for manufacturers, process engineers, materials scientists, and researchers involved in plastic recycling or polymer processing. It is particularly valuable for anyone looking to reliably integrate recycled polymers into their manufacturing processes.
Why Should You Attend:
Attend to gain actionable insights into how comprehensive material characterization can enhance the use of recycled polymers and improve sustainability efforts in manufacturing. Learn practical thermal analysis approaches to assess recycled materials and ensure quality in raw materials and production.
We compare virgin and post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene materials, demonstrating that while testing methodologies remain consistent, recycled materials demand deeper material insights due to their inherent complexities. A holistic profile of material properties and behavior is created by employing a suite of characterization techniques, including Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Melt Flow Index (MFI) measurements, rheological studies, and tensile testing.
By establishing robust baselines and quality assurance parameters, this approach enables manufacturers to efficiently assess the suitability of alternative feedstocks, particularly recycled materials, for their specific processes. Our findings illustrate how detailed material characterization can streamline the evaluation of recycled polymers, reducing the need for extensive trial runs and facilitating informed decision-making in material selection.
Agenda
If you can't attend the session live, or if you want to review some concepts, the recording will be available after each session.
Registration Information
| Free for all Attendees |
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Instructors
John E. Estela-García
Graduate Researcher
University of Wisconsin-Madison
John E. Estela-Garcia is a graduate researcher at the Polymer Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work focuses on polymer feedstock characterization, aiming to boost production efficiency and implement environmentally conscious manufacturing techniques. Prior to his PhD studies, John was a material characterization scientist at Edwards Life Sciences, analyzing polymers for critical care devices and medical-grade plastics. His expertise in thermal, mechanical, and rheological testing contributes to optimizing material performance and processability across diverse polymer applications.
Professor Tim A. Osswald is the Director of the Polymer Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is Honorary Professor of Plastics Technology at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany and the National University of Colombia. His research includes modeling and simulation of polymer processing, engineering design with plastic and composite materials, and sustainability in plastics manufacturing. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed conference and journal articles as well as 15 books translated in five languages. Professor Osswald has also served as an expert witness in polymer engineering litigation, including product failure, patents, and intellectual property, and is on the advisory board of multiple companies.
Alec Redmann
Sector Manager
NETZSCH
Alec Redmann is the sector manager for polymers at NETZSCH. His current focus is developing solutions for sustainable manufacturing and process optimization. Prior to joining NETZSCH, he worked in composite manufacturing and R&D roles for applications ranging from wind turbine blades to sporting goods. Alec received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Polymer Engineer Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Questions? Contact:
For questions, contact Iván D. López.
This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.
Refund Policy for SPE Webinars
No refunds are available for this SPE Course.
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Anti-Trust Statement
- No discussion among members, volunteers, or staff, which attempts to arrive at any agreement regarding prices, terms or conditions of sale, distribution, volume, territories, or customers;
- No activity or communication which might be construed as an attempt to prevent any person or business entity from gaining access to any market or customer for goods or services or any business entity from obtaining services or a supply of goods;
- No activity or communication which might be construed as an agreement to refrain from purchasing or using any materials, equipment, services or supplies of or from any supplier; or
- No other activity which violates anti-trust or applicable laws aimed at preventing unfair competition.
