NPE2027: The Plastics Show® is accepting speaker proposals for its education program. Industry leaders, innovators, and subject matter experts are invited to share insights shaping the future of plastics.
Seeking proposals for:
Show Floor Stage Presentations – 30-minute sessions with practical insights
A new economic analysis from PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda examines first-quarter 2026 trade trends for recyclable plastics materials and how global trade flows have evolved over the past decade.
The analysis highlights the continued importance of North American trading partners while exploring shifts in U.S. exports and the potential growth of domestic plastics recycling capacity. Dr. Pineda also discusses the role of market dynamics, public policy, and regulatory frameworks in supporting efficient recycling markets and broader sustainability goals.
👉 Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.
🔄 Report Highlights Growth of Polystyrene Recycling
The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) released a new report on the state of polystyrene recycling across North America, developed with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS).
The report examines infrastructure, technologies, and end markets for EPS transport packaging and rigid polystyrene, and identifies 119 facilities across the U.S. and Canada processing recovered EPS.
The findings provide a data-driven snapshot of a growing polystyrene recycling system with expanding collection, processing, and end-market capacity.
👉 To download the State of Polystyrene Circularity, click here.
🌎 PLASTICS Responds to EPA Microplastics Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft 6th Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6), which includes 75 substances and four groups, including microplastics as a proposed “priority contaminant group” under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Why it matters: The proposal could shape future regulatory action and research funding related to drinking water contamination.
PLASTICS’ Environmental, Health, and Safety+ (EHS+) Committee submitted comments opposing EPA’s proposal to add microplastics to the CCL6 because EPA did not conduct a proper assessment. The committee supports additional research while emphasizing that EPA should use appropriate scientific processes and methodologies. PLASTICS and its members also expressed interest in working collaboratively with EPA on definitions, testing methods, and risk assessments.
Last week, the 2026 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit concluded after three days in Arlington, Virginia, bringing together leaders across food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and materials to discuss the future of plastic packaging and evolving policy priorities.
A key focus was the shifting regulatory landscape, including FDA updates on oversight of food ingredients, color additives, GRAS substances, and food contact materials. Experts also examined how these changes are affecting compliance and decision-making across the value chain.
Sustainability discussions centered on post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in pharmaceutical packaging, highlighting the challenge of balancing environmental goals with strict safety and purity standards.
Overall, the Summit underscored a clear theme: the industry is navigating rapid change and increasing complexity across regulation, sustainability, and innovation.
👉 Stay up to date on upcoming conferences by visiting PLASTICS Events page.
🏛️ The Future of U.S. Recycling Policy & Investment
Join the We Recycle Working Group on June 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET for an exclusive virtual panel exploring the evolving landscape of U.S. recycling policy and federal investment. Hear directly from leading policy experts as they discuss emerging legislative priorities, funding opportunities, and regulatory trends shaping the future of recycling.
Featured Panelists
Jake Kennedy Senior Professional Staff Member U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Travis Voyles Associate Deputy Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This interactive session will provide insights into how federal actions may impact industry strategy and long-term planning, with opportunities to ask questions directly to policy leaders.
📅 SPE Extrusion Optimization TopCon | June 16–18, 2026 | Montreal-Longueuil, QC | Hosted by the SPE: Inspiring Plastics Professionals Extrusion Division, this three-day event brings together extrusion professionals for education, networking, and practical discussions on troubleshooting, bioplastics, recycling, and process optimization. Learn more.
📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum| July 14–15, 2026 | Toronto, Canada | Summer Forum: Addressing a Growing Concern of Microplastics & Material Stewardship. To request your invitation to attend, click here.
🎤 NPE2027 Call for Speakers | Proposals are due August 14, 2026.
NPE2027 is now accepting speaker proposals for its education program. Industry leaders, innovators, and subject matter experts are invited to share insights and expertise with a global audience at NPE2027, taking place May 3–7, 2027, in Orlando, Florida. To submit a proposal or learn more, click here.
The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now for Early Bird Pricing.
📅 OCS CON2026| Oct. 14–16, 2026 | Houston, TX | Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep, OCS CON brings the full plastic value chain together in efforts towards eliminating the loss of plastic to the environment. Early Bird Registration now open.
📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum| Nov. 11–12, 2026 | Atlanta, GA | Fall Forum: Backing the Vision: Investment, Infrastructure, and the Economics of Advanced Recycling. To request your invitation to attend, click here.
📅 Vinyl Week 2026 | Dec. 8–11, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | This one-of-a-kind gathering brings together the Vinyl Compounders Conference and the Vinyl Sustainability Summit for four days of leadership, networking, and forward-looking insights.
📅 NPE2027 – The Plastics Show | May 3–7, 2027 | Orlando, FL | The largest plastics trade show in the Americas, bringing together 51,000+ professionals from 130+ countries to explore innovations in automation, sustainability, and advanced materials. Featuring 2,200+ exhibitors and on-site ANTEC® technical sessions. Registration opens September 2026. Learn more.
