SPE News - April 21, 2023

Plastics Engineering Highlights

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Plastics Engineering

The March/April issue of Plastics Engineering is focused on EV plastic-use innovations, wearables, sustainability, and more.

Read March/April Issue

Hail to the Chief

SPE’s new president, Bruce Mulholland, brings insight, experience, and a can-do attitude to the job.

Diagnostics To Go

UC San Diego researchers use SEBS copolymer to develop a wearable ultrasound patch.

What's Happening Around SPE

SPE President-Elect Conor Carlin to Speak at Bioplastics Live

Plastics News and Sustainable Plastics will host the Bioplastics Live special webinar (May 17, 2023), which will focus on sustainability in plastics. Conor Carlin, SPE president-elect, managing director of Illig North America, and co-author of the second edition of Plastics and Sustainability, will join Plastics News and Sustainable Plastics staff, as well as Rafael Auras, Amcor endowed chair in packaging sustainability at Michigan State University, and Kelvin Okamoto, CEO of Gen3Bio LLC, to discuss how bio-based polymers fit into sustainability goals.

Keynotes Announced for FlexPackCon® 2023

Keynote speakers have been announced for FlexPackCon® 2023, presented by the SPE Flexible Packaging Division and taking place October 10-12 at the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel in Quebec. Speakers include Anne-Marie Boulay, Professor, Polytechnique Montreal, and Director, International Life Cycle Consortium, CIRAIG; Barry Morris, Ph.D., R&D Fellow (Retired), Dow; Eadaoin Quinn, Sustainable Packaging Senior Manager, Americas, Mars, Incorporated; and Pak Meng Chem, Ph.D., Sr. Principal Scientist, Global R&D Foods Packaging – Sustainable Materials Commercialization, PepsiCo.

Nominations Now Open for Plastics Hall of Fame

Nominations for the Plastics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are now being accepted. The Plastics Hall of Fame is recognition of a lifetime body of work of an individual whose dedication and exceptional achievements have contributed to the growth and prominence of the plastics industry on a global scale.

FlexPackCon® 2023 Call for Abstracts Deadline May 1st

FlexPackCon® 2023 is inviting material and equipment suppliers, processors, converters, packagers, brand owners, academia, and other industry influencers to submit abstracts for presentations focused on key trends and the latest technology advances in flexible packaging. The deadline for abstract submissions is May 1st! Submit your abstract today!

Long-time SPE Supporter Jon Meckley Passes Away

Professor Jonathan Alan Meckley of Bemus Point, NY, passed away unexpectedly at home on April 1 due to complications following a skiing accident. He taught Plastics Engineering Technology for many years at Penn State Behrend and served as department chair before retiring in 2022. He was a staunch proponent of SPE and long-time ANTEC® attendee.

SPE Foundation

My Experience as a Junior Researcher

Angel Griffith, high school sophomore at University Prep Science and Math High School in Detroit, MI, writes about how receiving a $500 research grant from the SPE Foundation impacted her STEM research, which was focused on developing innovative ideas around sustainable materials for use in electric vehicle interiors.

Celanese Foundation Provides Substantial Grant to SPE Foundation

The Celanese Foundation, part of Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), (NYSE: CE), a global specialty materials and chemical company, recently granted $50,000 to fund the SPE Foundation’s work in Detroit and Dallas. The grant will be used to sponsor SPE After-School STEM Clubs, Ecotek Lab collaboration, and the PlastiVan® programming, which upholds the Foundation’s three-pronged approach to enrich and develop future workforce for the plastics industry.

DuPont™ Tedlar® Donates $20,000 to SPE Foundation

DuPont™ Tedlar®, the global leader in technology-based materials and solutions, recently donated $20,000 to the SPE Foundation to support the Foundation’s three-pronged approach to enrich and develop future workforce for the plastics industry.

SPE News Story Ideas?

Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Have you heard about or are 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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May 2 | Troy, MI

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May 3 | Virtual Event

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