Plastics Industry Association announced that Society of Plastics Engineers’s ANTEC® technical conference will be integrated into the Expo+ education experience at NPE2027, taking place May 3–7, 2027, in Orlando.
The move brings ANTEC® technical education directly into the NPE experience, giving attendees access to deeper technical learning alongside the latest equipment, materials, and manufacturing technologies. Programming is expected to include AI-enabled processing, advanced recycling, sustainability, bioplastics, injection molding, additive manufacturing, and more.
The integration reflects the continued alignment of PLASTICS and SPE following the organizations’ merger, bringing technical expertise and commercial application together within one industry event.
♻️ House Advances Bipartisan Recycling Legislation
What happened: The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 2145, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA), and H.R. 4109, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCAA), with bipartisan support.
Why it matters: The legislation would:
Expand recycling access
Improve recycling data collection and reporting
Strengthen U.S. recycling infrastructure
Support a more circular manufacturing economy
The package also aligns with the bipartisan Senate-passed STEWARD Act framework.
What PLASTICS is saying:
“Today’s bipartisan committee passage marks meaningful progress toward strengthening America’s recycling infrastructure and improving the nation’s recycling system,” said Chris Rager, Vice President of Government Affairs at PLASTICS.
👉 To read Chris Rager’s full statement, click here.
Plastics Industry Association Chief Economist Perc Pineda says the U.S. plastics industry remains resilient, but shifting energy costs, inflation expectations, and uneven labor signals are creating new pressure points across the value chain.
The U.S. economy grew 2.0% in Q1 2026, supported by strong services activity and continued business investment, including AI-related spending that is shaping future demand for plastics in infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
Within the sector, plastics manufacturing showed moderate growth, with shipments holding near recent peaks.
But headwinds are building. Energy volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising electricity demand are adding cost pressure, while inflation expectations have moved higher in recent forecasts.
What to watch: How these macro forces filter through feedstocks, resins, and manufacturing costs in the months ahead.
🚀 National Plastics Conference: Super Early Bird Pricing Ends May 29
Registration is now open for the National Plastics Conference — taking place Sept. 14–17 in Houston.
Save $300 with Super Early Bird pricing — but only through May 29.
This year’s theme, Let’s Make It Happen, brings the full plastics value chain together to turn industry challenges into practical solutions, stronger connections, and real progress.
At the National Plastics Conference, leaders don’t just talk about change — they drive it. Attendees can expect:
Insights that turn into action
Conversations that become business partnerships
Cross-sector collaboration across the plastics value chain
A focus on real-world solutions to shared industry challenges
Progress doesn’t happen on its own — it happens when the industry comes together to act.
👉 Register nowandsave $300 with the Super Early Bird rate — the best pricing available before it ends May 29.
🌟 FLiP Member Spotlight: Matt Trump
Meet Matt Trump, Regional Sales Manager at ACS Group, where he supports plastics processors across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky with auxiliary equipment solutions that improve manufacturing performance.
He works closely with processors, manufacturers’ representatives, and internal teams to develop equipment recommendations while staying connected to the shop floor through customer visits, trade shows, and industry events.
Mentorship has also played an important role in his career, including guidance from his father-in-law, Terry Freudeman, and participation in the FLiP Mentorship Program, where he connected with mentor Raul Scheller of Sepro.
Matt’s story highlights the importance of hands-on experience, mentorship, and strong industry relationships in driving success across the plastics industry.
👉 To read Matt's full FLiP File story, click here.
👉To learn more about Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), click here.
📚 June FLiP Book Club: Unstoppable Mindset
Join the June FLiP Book Club on Friday, June 5, from 2:00–3:00 PM to explore Unstoppable Mindset: How to Use What You Have to Get What You Want by Alden Mills.
This session will focus on building resilience, confidence, and a growth mindset—using practical tools to turn challenges into opportunities and better leverage the skills and resources you already have.
Participants will discuss key themes from the book, share takeaways, and connect these ideas to leadership and career development across the plastics industry through the Future Leaders in Plastics network.
Whether you’ve read the book or are joining to listen and engage, this is an opportunity to connect with peers and strengthen professional growth in a collaborative setting.
Who should attend: FLiP-eligible professionals (generally under or around age 40) employed by companies with active Plastics Industry Association membership.
👉To learn more about Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), click here.
📆 Mark Your Calendar
📅 2026 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit | June 1–3 | Arlington, VA | Hosted by PLASTICS at the Hilton National Landing, this summit brings industry leaders together to discuss the key issues, trends, and innovations shaping food packaging. Learn more. To register, click here.
📅 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.
The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now for Super 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.
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