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title: "insidePLASTICS: Plastics Stay Strong, Member Spotlight, and More"
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The latest news from PLASTICS. Exclusively for members of the Plastics Industry Association. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Issue No.  13   \|   March 31, 2026 This Week: 📊  Medical Output Falls, Plastics Stay Strong 🌟  FLiP Member Spotlight: Gerald Kincer ⚖️  FDCPMC 2026 Summit Open for Registration 🙌  Welcome New Members 📅  Mark Your Calendar 📊 Medical Output Falls, Plastics Stay Strong U.S. medical equipment production has declined 15.7% from its October 2023 peak—but plastics demand remains steady.   Why it matters: Healthcare spending remains strong at 16–18% of total consumption, with medical products reaching $663.2 billion in 2026.   What’s happening: Post-COVID inventory corrections are lowering equipment output Plastics demand is more stable across consumables and packaging Imports are offsetting some domestic production declines Bottom line: Despite softer equipment output, plastics demand tied to healthcare remains resilient.   👉 Read Perc’s full analysis on PLASTICS' blog. 🌟 FLiP Member Spotlight: Gerald Kincer Gerald Kincer, Vice President of Sales at eFactor3, has built a career in plastics that began unexpectedly and has grown into a leadership role advancing recycling solutions across North America.   As Vice President of Sales at eFactor3, Gerald leads sales strategy, forecasting, and growth initiatives. The company delivers turnkey recycling systems that improve recovery, reduce contamination, and increase efficiency. He is driven to help customers solve complex processing challenges and improve operational performance.   He sees oversupply of virgin resin as a key challenge. Progress will depend on investment in chemical recycling, minimum recycled content standards, tax incentives, and stronger EPR programs.   A FLiP member for nearly two years, Gerald has engaged through mentorship, meetups, and now serves as Vice Chair of the Engagement Task Group.   👉 To learn about the FLiP mentorship program,  click here. ⚖️FDCPMC 2026 Summit Open for Registration Where Innovation Meets Regulation   Explore the future of food packaging at the 2026 Spring Food Packaging Summit, hosted by PLASTICS’ Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Packaging Materials Committee (FDCPMC).   This high-impact event delivers a forward-looking view of the rapidly evolving food packaging landscape across the entire global supply chain. Hear directly from FDA and EU regulators, industry leaders, and technical experts on what’s next for compliance, safety, and innovation.   🔍 FDA Insights That Matter Gain clear, timely insight into shifting FDA priorities, enforcement trends, and how MAHA is reshaping expectations around GRAS substances, safety, labeling, and accountability.   🌎 Next-Level Regulatory Readiness Prepare for a changing global landscape with strategies to reduce risk, strengthen compliance, and support long-term success.   ⚠️ Regulatory Challenges You Can’t Ignore Stay ahead of PFAS restrictions, state and federal legislation, labeling requirements, reporting mandates, and more. Register now and save $200 Early bird rates end April 24. Welcome New Members Headquartered in Jurong, Jiangsu, China, Useon Technology is a global manufacturer of polymer extrusion equipment and process technologies serving the plastics industry. Founded in 2006, the company specializes in twin‑screw extrusion systems for compounding, polymer  foam extrusion, direct sheet and film extrusion, and advanced plastic recycling applications.   Useon Technology provides turnkey solutions that support sustainable materials processing, including PET recycling, polyolefin compounding, and polymer upcycling. With a global customer base and a focus on innovation, efficiency, and circular‑economy solutions, Useon Technology delivers high‑capacity extrusion systems designed to help processors improve performance while reducing material waste.   Visit website. Headquartered in Lewes, Delaware, MIR Plastic is a family‑owned manufacturer specializing in the conversion of polymers into sustainable plastic packaging solutions. Founded in 1988, the company produces eco‑friendly plastic bags for large institutional, distribution, and retail customers.   MIR Plastic operates multiple production facilities across North America and the Middle East and maintains strategically located warehouses throughout the United States to support efficient logistics and just‑in‑time delivery.   Visit website. 📆 Mark Your Calendar 🗓️  2026 FLiP Mentorship Program \| Applications are due April 10, 2026. The program connects employees under 40 from PLASTICS member companies with experienced plastics industry professionals for meaningful, career-focused mentorship. Learn more.  Apply here.    🏛️ PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In \| April 13–15, 2026 \| Washington, DC \| Join us for the annual PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In. We'll come together to share our policy and advocacy initiatives while bringing the industry to Capitol Hill, to personally advocate on behalf of your company. Learn more. To register, click here.   ⛳ FlexForum \| May 4–6, 2026 \| Fort Myers, FL \| FlexForum is the event for anyone in the flexible film and packaging space. Covering business trends, regulatory issues, and more with the incredible networking opportunities, FlexForum is a can't miss in 2026! Learn more. To register, click here.    🏛️ 2026 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit \| June 1–3 \| Arlington, VA \| Save the date for the Spring Food Packaging Summit, hosted by PLASTICS. This summit will bring industry leaders together at the Hilton National Landing. Learn more. To register, click here.    📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum \| July 14–15, 2026 \| Toronto, CA \| Summer Forum: Addressing a Growing Concern of Microplastics & Material Stewardship. To request your invitation to attend, click here.    📅 National Plastics Conference \| Sept. 14–17, 2026 \| Houston, TX \|  The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Super Early Member Rates available until April 17.   📅 OCS CON 2026 \| 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.    📅 Save the date. 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. 🏆 Make It a Team Win! Know someone on your team who should see this?   Feel free to forward this email to your coworkers!  Since your company is a member of the Plastics Industry Association, everyone on your team can create their own account and access member benefits.   Plastics Industry Association 1425 K Street NW Suite #500  \| Washington, DC, 20005   +1.202.974.5200 --- You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of Plastics Industry Association membership. To update your preferences, please use the link below. Manage Preferences |
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