Registration is officially open for NPE2027: The Plastics Show®, taking place May 3–7, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Why it matters: More than 51,000 attendees and 2,200 exhibitors from over 130 countries are expected to gather to explore the technologies, ideas and connections shaping the future of plastics.
What to expect:
Five reimagined Technology Zones
A new Sustainability Park
Live recycling demonstrations
More than 140 educational sessions
More than 400 first-time exhibitors
Expanded networking and community events
Your member benefit: Your PLASTICS membership unlocks exclusive NPE2027 benefits, including a complimentary Expo Pass during early bird registration and discounted Expo+ registration options.
The U.S. labor market remained stable in August, adding 162,000 jobs while unemployment held at 4.1%. Manufacturing added 16,000 jobs—well above its average monthly gain during the previous year.
Why it matters: U.S. manufacturers are being asked to meet growing demand with fewer workers and higher input costs. Manufacturing employment has fallen 35.1% from its 1979 peak, driving greater investment in automation, robotics and other productivity-enhancing technologies.
Key takeaways:
Manufacturing unemployment remained relatively low at 3.3%, compared with 4.1% nationwide.
New orders for U.S. manufacturers increased 9.9% year over year to $663.6 billion in July.
Manufacturing employment declined from 19.5 million workers in 1979 to 12.6 million in 2025.
Plastics and rubber products production increased 2.2% year over year in July, despite a slight decrease in August employment.
The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA), a self-funded initiative of the PLASTICS Industry Association, has released Polystyrene: The Safety Record. The report brings together decades of scientific research and regulatory findings related to the use of polystyrene in packaging.
Why it matters: The report addresses the frequent confusion between styrene—the liquid ingredient used to manufacture polystyrene—and polystyrene, the solid material used in products such as food packaging. It explains the distinction between the two substances and examines their different safety profiles.
Key findings highlighted in the report:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has considered polystyrene suitable for food-contact applications for more than 50 years.
A June 2025 assessment by the European Food Safety Authority found no evidence of harm from polystyrene packaging at real-world exposure levels.
Recycled polystyrene must meet the same food-contact safety requirements as virgin material.
PSRA brings together organizations across the polystyrene and expanded polystyrene value chain to advance recycling and circularity throughout North America.
New Jersey has extended its temporary exemption for food-contact packaging under the state’s Recycled Content Law. Originally scheduled to expire in January 2027, the exemption will now remain in effect through December 31, 2029.
Why it matters: NJDEP found that technologies for producing food-safe postconsumer recycled content (PCR) have not reached the scale needed for industry-wide adoption. The limited availability of food-safe PCR makes it difficult for manufacturers to meet the law’s requirements while protecting food safety and quality.
PLASTICS’ role: PLASTICS and its industry partners have consistently raised these concerns with NJDEP. During a recent meeting with Deputy Commissioner Paul Baldauf, PLASTICS highlighted the challenges companies face in obtaining the materials needed to produce safe food-contact containers and packaging.
The bottom line: The three-year extension gives manufacturers needed flexibility while the technology and supply of food-safe recycled materials continue to develop.
Ready to lead with confidence and make a greater impact in your organization?
The Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics is a six-month online program designed specifically for early- to mid-career plastics professionals. Beginning October 5, the program provides the skills, strategies and professional connections you need to take the next step in your career.
What you’ll gain:
Strategic leadership: Strengthen your leadership style, strategic planning and self-awareness.
Organizational impact: Learn how to foster innovation, influence workplace culture and build financial literacy.
Interactive development: Participate in self-paced learning, live virtual sessions, peer study halls and one-on-one executive coaching.
Exclusive PLASTICS member offer: Applications are free, and PLASTICS members can use promo code EML-PLASTICS at checkout to receive discounted member pricing.
⏰ Acceptance begins September 25, and the cohort starts October 5.
👉 Apply for the SPE Certificate in Leadership Program.
🙌 Welcome New Members
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with its U.S. operations based in Tigard, Oregon, Agilyx develops innovative solutions that help increase the recyclability of post use plastics
through feedstock management, advanced recycling technologies, and plastics characterization services. The company works across the plastics value chain to transform difficult to recycle materials into valuable resources while supporting the transition to a more circular economy.
Founded in 2004, Agilyx is dedicated to increasing the value of post-use plastics while enhancing recyclability through technology development, feedstock sourcing, and strategic investments in recycling infrastructure. The company licenses advanced recycling technologies for plastic streams such as polystyrene. Its arcLABS research and analytics center provides material characterization, feedstock qualification, feasibility studies, pilot scale development, plus process design support for mechanical and advanced recycling applications. Through its growing ownership position in GreenDot Global, one of Europe's largest plastic recycling platforms, Agilyx has expanded its presence across key European markets. Together, these efforts help manufacturers, recyclers, and brand owners advance circularity by returning recovered materials back into productive use.
📅 SPE Vinyltec® 2026 | Oct. 13–15 | Atlanta, GA | Join PVC industry professionals to explore the latest innovations, sustainability efforts, and advancements shaping the future of PVC. PLASTICS members save on registration with promo code: VT26-PLASTICS. Learn more.
📅 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. Click here to register.
📅 Microplastics Forum | October 20–21 | Baltimore, MD | Explore practical, scalable approaches to understanding, managing and preventing microplastic release. PLASTICS members receive discounted registration with promo code MP26-PLASTICS. Learn more and register.
📅 Chemical Safety in Plastics: PFAS & Beyond | October 20–21 | Baltimore, MD | Explore practical substitution technologies, regulatory alignment, and risk reduction strategies to navigate evolving chemical safety standards across the plastics value chain. PLASTICS members receive discounted registration with promo code CSP26-PLASTICS. Learn more and register.
📅 Injection Molding Innovation Summit| Oct. 22, 2026 | Cleveland, OH | Hosted by the Society of Plastics Engineers, the event will explore practical applications of AI, sustainability, materials, tooling, and other innovations shaping the future of injection molding. PLASTICS members can register at the SPE member rate using code IMIS-PLASTICS. Click here to register.
📅 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. Learn more.
📅 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.
