SPE News - March 20, 2026

March 20, 2026

What's Happening Around SPE

ANTEC® Brings Plastics Community Together

ANTEC® 2026 (March 9-12 in Pittsburgh, PA) welcomed more than 450 plastics professionals from around the world for two and a half days of technical sessions, plenary presentations, networking, and industry recognition. With 200+ speakers and eight concurrent tracks, the conference explored advances in polymer science, processing technologies, sustainability, AI-enabled manufacturing, materials innovation, and more. Recap here.

Student Posters Highlight Emerging Talent

Students brought fresh perspectives and forward-looking research to ANTEC® 2026, with 35 posters showcasing innovative work in polymer science and technology. Top entries were recognized during the ANTEC® Awards Luncheon on March 11th. View the winning posters here.

SPE Website Redesign Earns TRENDY Award

SPE has been recognized with a 2026 Bronze TRENDY Award for Best Website Redesign by Association Trends. The mid-2025 redesign of www.4spe.org reflects a strategic effort to better serve the global plastics community with a more intuitive, user-focused experience. This recognition emphasizes SPE’s commitment to evolving with member needs and strengthening engagement across the plastics industry.

Shaping the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty: SPE’s Role in INC-5

National Week of Flame Retardants NEXT WEEK!

If you’re responsible for evaluating Flame Retardant technologies, selecting additives, or ensuring compliance across industries, then you need to be at SPE's National Week of Flame Retardants 2026, taking place online March 23-25. Hear from flame retardant experts, regulatory specialists, and major suppliers, while gaining practical insights that you can apply to your processes immediately. More info.

SPE On Demand

Miss a live online SPE Workshop? Learn on your schedule with SPE’s On Demand programs. The SPE Center for Polymer Education offers a growing library of recorded courses and workshops designed to help plastics professionals sharpen their technical expertise anytime, anywhere. Covering a wide range of essential industry topics, these flexible programs let you build skills, revisit key concepts, and advance your career—whenever works for you! Check out On Demand programs here.

Innovations in Polyolefins Conference 2026 Call for Papers

The SPE Southern Europe Regional Interest Group invites researchers, industry leaders, and innovators across the polyolefins value chain to submit abstracts for presentation at the Innovations in Polyolefins Conference, taking place 8-9 October 2026 in Tarragona, Spain. Submissions should include new research, applied technologies, case studies, and strategic insights. Submissions from experts around the world are strongly encouraged. Click here to submit your abstract.

SPE Quick Takes

Discover Answers Faster with SPE's Polymer Insights

A Must for Manufacturers – Scientific Molding Guide by Routsis

New Episode of PlastChicks Podcast - Ep. 84 - Geoff Foster, Core Technology

SPE Foundation Impact Report is Now Available

The latest SPE Foundation Impact Report highlights a year of meaningful progress—more than $300K in scholarships awarded, expanded the reach of PlastiVan® and 3D Printer Grants to thousands of students across North America, and continued growth of the Girl Scout Council Patch Program. Together, these efforts are helping turn classroom curiosity into the future plastics workforce. Read more.

Foundation Ambassador Giving Society Honors Leaders at ANTEC®

Established in 2023, the SPE Foundation Ambassador Giving Society recognizes generous and dedicated partners each year at ANTEC® celebrating those who are being inducted into the Society and those who have moved up a level through their 2025 contributions. Their outstanding support not only advances the Foundation’s mission but also inspires future generations. See 2025 honorees here.

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.