What's Happening Around SPE
Have a Joyous Season!
As 2024 comes to a close, SPE would like to wish our members and plastics industry professionals a
safe and happy holiday season. We promise 2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever! Just
so you don't miss out on any exciting SPE developments in the coming new year, make sure your profile is up to date. And, as
always, thank you for your loyalty and support of SPE!
Shaping the Global Plastic
Pollution Treaty: SPE's Role in INC-5
Conor Carlin, SPE President, Patrick Farrey, SPE CEO, and Iván López, SPE's Director of Technical
Programs, joined thousands of global delegates at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Fifth
Session (INC-5), in Busan, South Korea to observe negotiations to adopt a legally binding international
treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. Carlin, Farrey, and López engaged with stakeholders to
identify how SPE’s unique technical and educational expertise could support the treaty’s objectives. Read Conor's in-depth report here.
Be Part of SPE’s ANTEC® in 2025!
Join us at ANTEC® from March 3–6, 2025, in Philadelphia, PA, where the
plastics community will come together to explore the latest technical advancements shaping the
future of plastics. ANTEC® offers more than just groundbreaking technologies—it’s an opportunity to connect,
collaborate, and grow with your peers who share a passion for plastics and polymer science. Register today to take advantage of early bird pricing!
We Want
Student Posters For ANTEC® 2025!
Students! Are you ready to present your research that pushes the boundaries of plastics
technology at one of the best conferences in the plastics industry? SPE is searching for amazing
student posters for ANTEC® 2025, the best place to showcase your innovative projects and cutting-edge
ideas. Submit your poster today!
New
Episode of PlastChicks® Podcast Out Now
PlastChicks Lynzie Nebel and Mercedes Landazuri host Lytia Watson, Vice President of Human Resources,
Deceuninck North America. They discuss her educational journey, approaching impediments with
curiosity, finding the best employees for your company, removing bias in hiring decisions, and building
collaboration skills for success. They also talk about navigating the challenges of AI in the plastics
industry for employers and staff. You can listen to the PlastChicks® podcast at 4spe.org/podcasts or on YouTube!
SPE Foundation
Celanese Foundation Supports Positive Plastics
Education™
On behalf of Celanese Auburn Hills, the Celanese Foundation has made an exciting contribution of
$35,000 to support Positive Plastics Education™ in Michigan in 2025! In addition to funding PlastiVan®
visits, this generous donation will boost the SPE Junior Research program at the William D. Ford Career Technical
Center, and directly empower six Celanese Junior Researchers in their hands-on research in plastics and
manufacturing. Altogether, Celanese and the Celanese Foundation have donated $225,200 to support
the work of the SPE Foundation. Thank you, Celanese, for helping us shape the future of sustainable plastics
education!
Giving Tuesday Donations Contribute to 3D Printer Grants
Thank you to the 70 donors who generously contributed a total of $19,836 on Giving Tuesday
to support 3D Printer Grants! This funding enables seven schools access to this innovative technology
and receive a visit from PlastiVan®, benefiting hundreds of students and opening doors to exciting career
opportunities in plastics and manufacturing. If you missed Giving Tuesday but would like to help meet the growing
demand for 3D printers, you can make a difference at give.4spe.org.
PlastiVan® Team Member Phread Ayres Passes Away
The SPE Foundation is sad to report the death of Phread Ayres, a beloved member of its PlastiVan®
team. For years Phread enjoyed PlastiVan® in his Schuyler-Colfax Middle School science classroom in Wayne, NJ. His
interest and excitement about the program led to his post-retirement gig as a PlastiVan® educator, serving the
Northeast. “I had the pleasure of serving Phread’s students for years and I often bragged that Schuyler Colfax was
one of my favorite schools. The students were great, but Phread and Samantha Bremer, both science teachers at the
school, were a huge factor in my favoritism. I was elated to welcome Phread to our team,” said Eve Vitale, SPE
Foundation Executive. Phread is survived by his wife Helen Matusow-Ayres and two children, Genna and Marcy. Phread
Ayres's Obituary - Dennis, MA | Ever Loved
Chapter News
New SPE Southern Europe Regional
Interest Group Approved
SPE’s new Southern Europe Regional Interest Group
(RIG) covers Albania, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and 17 other countries in the region. Join their kick-off Zoom event,
"Explore Trends in the Southern Europe Polymer/Plastics Market," on Thursday, January 23,
8:30–9:30 AM (EST). Discover market trends, upcoming initiatives, and meet the group’s leaders. Future plans
include the 2026 Southern European Polyolefins Conference in Barcelona/Tarragona area of Spain.
SPE Molding
Technologies Division Exhibiting at PT-EXPO
Molding Technologies Division will be exhibiting at PT-EXPO in Rosemont, IL from March 18 – 20,
2025. The division will be sharing a booth with SPE’s Chicago Section, as well as with Mark (Dr. Plastics) Wolverton,
SPE Foundation PlastiVan® Educator. Make sure to visit us at booth #1239. To make it easier and
less costly, we have complimentary show credentials available for you. Please click here for access to the show floor. Use discount code SPE100 when
registering.
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, in Pittsburgh, PA. We will be discussing design and
manufacturing alternatives while solving complex problems with sustainable solutions. Read more.
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
SPE COURSE: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Failure
and Compositional Analysis
January 23 | Online
Register
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SPE WORKSHOP: Material Selection and Product Durability for
Sustainable Plastics in Buildings and Infrastructures
Begins February 3 | Online
Register
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SPE WEBINAR: The Challenges of Plastics Testing
February 11 | Online
Register
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SPE WORKSHOP: Troubleshooting in Injection Molding
Begins February 20 | Online
Register
ANTEC® 2025
March 3-6 | Philadelphia, PA
Register
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SPE WORKSHOP: Failure in Plastics
Begins March 17 | Online
Register
View SPE's
upcoming events
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