What's Happening Around SPE
The recent talks to negotiate an internationally binding treaty on plastics pollution ended without a global consensus. Now what? Join SPE’s online roundtable discussion (Sept. 25 from 10:00-11:15 AM Eastern Time) for an exclusive debrief from participants who were inside the room at the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) in Geneva, Switzerland. Panelists include: Fiorella Danjoy Acosta, Regional Director, Recicla Latam; Tania Ferlin, Director of Sustainability Advocacy, Husky Technologies™; Hodayah Finman, Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs, Plastics Industry Association; and Julie Peters, EU Policy Affairs Manager, European Bioplastics e.V. Discussion will be moderated by Conor Carlin, SPE's representative to UNEP. This panel discussion is free to attend but requires registration. Find out more here.
Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Quote Engineer for Cytiva and SPE’s current President-Elect, was recently featured in Penn State Behrend News, focusing on her work with SPE’s sponsored podcast, PlastChicks. Nebel co-hosts the podcast with Mercedes Landazuri, Market Insight Manager for Ampacet. PlastChicks, which is in its eighth season, looks at popular plastics topics and the people inspiring the industry. Nebel graduated from Penn State Behrend in 2008. Read more.
If your work in plastics intersects with PFAS or microplastics, SPE’s Responsible Plastics 2025 is where your next critical decisions begin. Taking place NEXT WEEK September 23-24, 2025, at the Double Tree by Hilton in Pittsburgh, PA, Responsible Plastics 2025 is for professionals committed to developing impactful solutions to environmental challenges while promoting innovation, sustainability, and responsible practices across the plastics value chain. This conference includes two concurrent tracks focused on tackling the pressing challenges in the plastics industry: Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Plastics Industry and Solutions for the Microplastic Challenge. Details here.
SPE has curated the most impactful presentations from ANTEC® 2025 into a single, on-demand digital event: the Best of ANTEC®. This exclusive collection is the only way to access ANTEC® 2025 content after the conference. Available to stream anytime through December 31, 2025. Designed for professionals, students, and innovators across the plastics industry. Details here.
As part of our commitment to recognize excellence in plastics engineering, science, technology, and management, we invite you to nominate an eligible candidate for SPE’s Fellow of the Society. Application deadline is October 1, 2025. Go to www.4spe.org/Fellows for nomination information.
SPE’s Honored Service Member (HSM) award celebrates individuals who have shown long-term, outstanding service to SPE and its mission to advance the growth and development of plastics professionals for the betterment of society and the planet. This honor recognizes those who have made a lasting impact on SPE and driven positive change in the industry. Applications are now open for the HSM award. Deadline to apply is October 1, 2025. Nomination information for HSM can be found at www.4spe.org/HSM.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are at the center of innovation, performance, and sustainability in materials engineering. But with rapid advancements and increasing demands, professionals like you face challenges—from selecting the right TPE to optimizing manufacturing processes. Join SPE's online Thermoplastic Elastomers Conference (presented by the SPE Thermoplastic Elastomers TIG) October 27-28 and find solutions from experts across the industry. More info.
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, staying current isn’t just a benefit, it’s a necessity. If you or your team are feeling overwhelmed by constant changes in plastics processing, or struggling to keep up with evolving technologies, SPE, in conjunction with Routsis Training, is offering the Scientific Molding Pocket Guide — a must-have resource for manufacturers. Whether you’re a Process Engineer, Mold or Part Designer, Production Manager, or Floor Technician, this pocket guide is designed to support smarter decisions and better performance at every level. Request your guide today!
Are you solving critical challenges, developing breakthrough technologies, or advancing polymer science in meaningful ways? Then you need to submit your research and findings to showcase at ANTEC® 2026. This is your chance to present your work to a global audience of industry leaders, researchers, engineers, and key influencers. If you’re working on innovations in materials, polymer research, processing, or application breakthroughs, we want to hear from you! Abstract submission deadline is October 3, 2025. Go here for details.
The future of plastics use in packaging is being reshaped—by innovation, by regulation, and by urgent sustainability goals. If you're solving real-world packaging challenges through material science, sustainability and circular design, or policy implementation, then SPE's Plastics in Packaging 2025, taking place online November 17-19, is the ideal event to share your expertise. We are seeking speakers with deep technical knowledge and firsthand experience with plastics used for all aspects of packaging. Abstract submission deadline is September 30, 2025. Details here.
Braskem, a leading global producer of biopolymers, has reaffirmed its commitment to the SPE Foundation’s PlastiVan® program for the twelfth consecutive year, continuing a partnership that inspires and educates students across the United States about plastics, sustainability, and the vast opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Over the past eight years, Braskem has become one of the program’s largest supporters, helping the PlastiVan® program reach 16,000+ students annually. 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.
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