What's Happening Around SPE
Nominations are now open for the SPE Honored Service Member (HSM) Awards. HSM recognizes those SPE members whose volunteer service has made an exceptional impact on the Society, its members, and its objectives. Click here for details.
SPE is currently seeking nominations for its prestigious Fellow of the Society. The Fellow of the Society is one of SPE’s highest membership distinctions, recognizing members whose exceptional professional achievements have advanced plastics engineering, science, technology, or the management of those activities. Nomination details here.
SPE members and stakeholders with expertise in plastics machinery and safety are invited to participate in the PLASTICS Industry Association’s PLASTICS B151 technical committees that develop and update safety standards for plastics machinery. Your technical knowledge and industry experience can help ensure these standards are practical, current, and aligned with evolving technologies and industry practices. Interested in participating? Express your interest here.
Dr. Raymond A. Pearson of Tatamy, PA, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospital Anderson Campus. He was an SPE Fellow and served on the SPE executive board. Ray joined the graduate faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University in 1990. Read more here.
BMG, in their continuing efforts to assist with creating interest, education, and opportunities in the thermoforming industry, recently announced its support of the SPE Foundation’s SPE Jr. Researcher program, which is serving students at the William D. Ford Career and Technical Center Mechatronics Lab in Wayne, Michigan. Together with their partners, BMG concentrates their focus on furthering the awareness of the plastics industry and the engagement of students who are interested in educational and training opportunities in engineering and thermoforming. Read more.
On Saturday, April 5th, the SPE Foundation visited Valparaiso, Indiana, for an event with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana. Girl Scouts in grades 4-12 explored polymers, thermoplastics, recycling, and careers in the plastics industry while earning their “Color Your World with Polymer Science” patch. Since last year, we have hosted four events with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana, allowing us to share the exciting world of polymer science with hundreds of girls! Read more.
The SPE Foundation was excited to participate in the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s STEMapalooza event at Florida Polytechnic University on April 12th! With over 1,800 Girl Scouts in attendance, many engaged in the “Color Your World with Polymer Science” patch activities. We appreciate our collaboration with Girl Scout Councils in inspiring girls to explore the numerous opportunities available to them in STEM. Read more.
Introduction to Plastic Decorating Technologies, hosted by the SPE Decorating and Coatings Division, is designed to introduce major decorating technologies, with a focus on current issues with recycling, regulation and innovations. Taking place online June 12-13, 2025, (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern time), this workshop for plastics manufactures, manufacturing engineers, and product designers and enables them to make informed decisions and effective design choices. The content can also benefit purchasing, procurement, and marketing teams. More information here.
SPE News Story Ideas?
Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Are you part of a chapter that is making an impact or a difference in the industry? Let us know if you have any story ideas for SPE News! Feel free to contact Chris Barry at cbarry@4spe.org.
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