The Plastics Industry Association is excited to announce new hires and promotions to its Executive Leadership Team, effective January 1, 2025. These updates reflect PLASTICS’ commitment to supporting the industry with expert leadership and driving sustainability initiatives.
New Hires:
Chris Rager: Vice President, Government Affairs – After serving as head of State Government Affairs for the American Petroleum Institute, Chris will enhance PLASTICS’ government relations at all levels, bringing over 20 years of advocacy experience.
Angela Mealy: Executive Director, NPE: The Plastics Show – Angela will lead the strategy and operations for NPE2027, leveraging her extensive trade show management experience, following her tenure as Senior Director of Event Services at the Association of Equipment Manufactures where she directed three major trade shows.
Promotions:
Ashley Hood-Morley: Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement
Patrick Krieger: Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Policy
Stephanie Strategos Polis: Vice President, Public Affairs
Apryl Alexander-Savino: Vice President, Events and Marketing
Mónica Mancilla Cooke: Vice President, Human Resources
Click HERE to read PLASTICS' official press release.
FFRA Launches Plastic Film
Recycling Directory
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA)has announced the launch of its new Plastic Film Recycling Directory. This new resource aims to increase plastic film recycling rates across the United States by improving consumer access to recycling collection points, and providing clear educational resources on how to responsibly recycle plastic film.
The directory is part of FFRA’s commitment to fostering greater transparency, collaboration, and progress in plastic film recycling. Retailers and recycling depots collecting plastic film are encouraged to join the directory.
PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda shared his insights in Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing's January 7, 2025, article: "Will the Plastics Machinery Market Rebound in 2025?"
👉 Click hereto read Perc’s full perspective and dive into the details.
Dr. Pineda, also shared his expertise in PLASTICS TODAY's January 3, 2025, article: "The Known Unknowns Confronting the Plastics Industry in 2025."
👉 Click hereto explore Perc’s perspective and gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities the plastics industry faces in the year ahead.
Upcoming Conferences
Register now to guarantee your place at theFluoropolymers Conference 2025in Fort Myers, February 3–5. Network with top-tier professionals and explore sessions ranging from application technologies in energy markets, sealing market innovations, capture and destruction technology, the role of toxicology data in regulation, aerospace application and so much more. See the entire agenda and registerhere.
Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®, OCS CON 2025 brings the full plastic value chain together in efforts to eliminate the loss of plastic to the environment.
OCS CON incubates and amplifies solutions to resin loss, ranging from introductions to groundbreaking technology to comprehensive culture change strategies. In addition to diverse panels, master classes, and tours, this event unlocks opportunities to collaborate with industry partners and experts to keep plastic within the circular economy and out of the environment.
Young plastics industry professionals have a powerful role to play in advocating for our industry, and PLASTICS wants to help support confidence in our FLiP member’s ability to do so.
FLiP’s Winter Development Session will feature PLASTICS VP of Public Affairs, Stephanie Strategos Polis, to discuss ways young professionals can defend and promote the plastics industry, and the essential plastic products we produce. Attendees will get an overview of how to navigate everyday conversations with coworkers, family, and friends to better advocate for plastic, provide the facts and push back against common plastic misconceptions.
This virtual educational session will take place on January 23rd from 12:00-1:00pm ET and is open to all FLiP eligible members of the association. Click the button below to register or share the link with your eligible colleagues!
The Plastic Sustainability Innovation Awardsrecognize outstanding innovations in plastics manufacturing that further environmental advantages in design, material, and end of life management. PLASTICS has extended the nominations deadline to February 14 to allow for more impactful innovations to be considered for these 5 awards.Enter your submission here! All award descriptions and judging criteria, past award winners, and more at theaward webpage.
Be a 2025 Cleanup Champion!
The Cleanup Champions Initiative encourages PLASTICS member companies to give back to their communities through litter cleanups. With the help from our FLiP Community Impact Task Group'sGuide to Planning a Litter Cleanup, each Champion coordinates at least one litter cleanup within the calendar year. The impact of these small efforts can be great when added up - Our2023 Championsremoved over 3,000 full bags of trash from the environment! Contact Heather Neilan (hneilan@plasticsindustry.org) to learn more.
Equipmentand Moldmaker Members
PLASTICS will be hosting a virtual meeting for the Equipment and Moldmaker members on February 13 at 2:00 PM ET. This meeting is open to all members of the Equipment and Moldmaker Industry Segment only. To register for this event click here.
Welcome New PLASTICS Members
YIZUMI-HPM Corporation – Founded in China, YIZUMI is not only a mid-to-high-end molding equipment manufacturer but also a leading turnkey solution provider for molding equipment. Committed to providing advanced molding equipment solutions with excellent ROI for global customers, YIZUMI aspires to be a globally influential enterprise. The company offerings consist of high-end multi-component, all-electric, two-platen machines, and high-speed packaging systems. In 2022, YIZUMI launched an 8,500T ultra-large injection molding machine, achieving a landmark in the industry and completing its product layout. YIZUMI-HPM, the North American subsidiary, brings over 130 years of molding experience and technological innovation, holding over 200 patents and establishing a strong reputation in product quality and service in die-casting and injection molding machines. YIZUMI's solutions cater to sectors like automotive, electronics, packaging, and medical.
