SPE News - November 15, 2024

What's Happening Around SPE

SPE Announces Newly Elected Board of Directors Members for 2025

SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members, as well as a newly appointed President. Starting January 1, 2025, Scott Eastman, Senior Manager R&D – DeWal, Rogers Corporation, will assume the position of SPE President. Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Hardware Engineer, Cytiva, will serve as SPE’s President-Elect. New SPE Directors are Dan Falla, Senior Technical Service, Shell; Louis Somlai, Executive Director of Engineering, Eli Lilly; and Barry Curtis, President, Curtis Plastics. Read more.

SPE and UNEP – The Global Treaty on Plastic Waste

As the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) moves forward with the Global Treaty on Plastic Waste, SPE is committed to being a proactive partner, ready to contribute knowledge, resources, and collaborative solutions. For more information on our work and potential partnerships, please connect with us at INC-5 or visit our website. And for additional details about the Treaty, please read "Inside the Global Plastics Treaty," published in Plastics Engineering.

Plenaries Announced for ANTEC® 2025

Join us at ANTEC® 2025, taking place in the heart of Philadelphia from March 3-6, 2025. ANTEC® 2025 will feature experts addressing today’s most pressing topics in plastics, including sustainability, material performance, and game-changing research. Featured plenary speakers include: Vikram Gopal, Ascend Performance Materials; Arthur Martin, Arkema; Ramani Narayan, Michigan State University; Tim Osswald, University of Wisconsin–Madison; and Narayan Ramesh, Dow. Early bird registration rates are now available! More details here.

We Want Student Posters For ANTEC® 2025!

Students! Are you ready to present your innovative research and cutting-edge developments at one of the most prominent technical conferences in the plastics industry? SPE is searching for student posters for ANTEC® 2025. ANTEC® is the best place to present your outstanding academic work focused on plastics and polymer science. Submit your poster today!

IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards

SPE and the SPE Injection Molding Division (IMD) are excited to announce its upcoming IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards program! The IMPACT Awards will recognize excellence in injection molding, celebrating innovation and creativity within the field. This awards program showcases the latest advancements in design, manufacturing, and applications in the plastics industry, highlighting significant work in injection molding on a national and international level. More details coming soon!

International Volunteer Day Begs the Question “What’s In It For Me?”

SPE and the SPE Injection Molding Division (IMD) are excited to announce its upcoming As the United Nations declares December 5th International Volunteer Day, it may be time for you to consider volunteering your time and expertise to SPE. Scott L. Peters, President and Founder of Molded Marketing, gives actionable tips on how to volunteer on an SPE Board (in his case, the Mold Technology Division and beyond) and why volunteering is important not only to the Society but to your career and personal life. Check out Scott’s advice here.

20% Discount on Article Publication Charges for SPE Polymers

SPE is pleased to announce a limited-time, 20% discount on Article Publication Charges (APC) for its open access journal, SPE Polymers. As an open access journal, SPE Polymers ensures accepted articles are freely available under a Creative Commons license, broadening the reach of your research. This discount initiative is available through December 31, 2024. We encourage authors to take advantage of this offer to publish their work more affordably while benefiting from increased visibility. This is a great opportunity to share your findings with a global audience. Go here for details.

Build Relationships Through SPE’s Mentorship Program

Do you need someone to help navigate the plastics industry? Looking for a "go-to" person who can unravel the complexity of technologies that seem confusing? Are you looking to meet others in the industry? Or maybe you simply need help solving a problem. At SPE, we believe in the power of connections to help navigate the sometimes overwhelming field of plastics. SPE's mentoring program is crafted to foster relationships that not only build bridges but also inspire growth. Looking for mentorship opportunities? Go here for more information.

SPE Foundation

Girl Scouts Explore PACK EXPO

It was an inspiring weekend with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana! The SPE Foundation welcomed 80 young girls to participate in fun activities to earn their Sustainable Packaging Patch, developed in partnership with the Institute of Packaging Professionals. Nearly 30 older girls and their parents had the opportunity to attend PACK EXPO, thanks to the generous support from the PMMI Foundation. The girls explored the showroom floor, connected with women leaders in the packaging industry, and proudly earned their Sustainable Packaging Patch. Thanks to all who made this possible, including a generous gift from the SPE Flexible Packaging Division.

Less Than One Month Until #GivingTuesday!

This year, help us PRINT THE FUTURE by supporting the SPE Foundation’s 3D printer grant program. With your help, we can provide more schools nationwide with this cutting-edge technology that sparks imagination and creativity, preparing students for careers in manufacturing. All 3D printer recipients also receive a PlastiVan visit. Donate now to help more students discover the incredible possibilities and transformative opportunities in the world of plastics.

Chapter News

International Polyolefins Conference – 50 Years of Inspiring Innovation

The SPE South Texas Section, in collaboration with the SPE Polymer Modifiers and Additives Division, the SPE Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Division, the SPE Engineering Properties and Structures Division, the SPE Building and Infrastructure Division, the SPE Applied Rheology Division, and the SPE Flexible Packaging Division are organizing the program to celebrate the 50th year of the International Polyolefins Conference. The conference, taking place Feb. 16-19, 2025, at the Galveston Island Convention Center (Galveston, TX), brings together producers, suppliers, processors, marketers, application developers, regulators, recyclers, and thought leaders in polyolefin technology from around the world. Read more.

TopCon 2025 - Rotational Molding: Solving Complex Problems with Sustainable Solutions

Connect with rotational molding industry leaders and learn about industry trends that will help sustain and innovate the rotational molding industry. Join us at the Rotational Molding Division’s TopCon 2025, taking place April 28-April 30, 2025, as we discuss design and manufacturing alternatives while solving complex problems with sustainable solutions. Read more.

SPE Student Design Competition for TopCon 2025

SPE Rotational Molding Division is conducting a Student Design Competition to promote interest and innovation in rotationally molded products. The division is offering winners FREE registration and hotel to attend TopCon 2025 in Minneapolis, MN! More information here.

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SPE News Story Ideas?

Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Are you 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.

Upcoming Events

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  SPE COURSE: Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

  December 5 | Online
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  SPE WEBINAR: The Challenges of Plastics Testing

  February 11 | Online
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  ANTEC® 2025

  March 3-6 | Philadelphia, PA
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