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’s Chemical Safety in Plastics: PFAS & Beyond, taking place October 20–21, 2026, in Baltimore, MD., is focused on chemical safety in plastics. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Lillian Mawby and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Alix Rodowa and Benjamin Place will present insights into PFAS and other chemicals of concern. Registration is open but SPE special hotel room rates end Monday, Sept. 21st! Book now! More info here.
Microplastics are under increasing regulatory scrutiny, public pressure, and scientific focus. Raymond Brinas, Senior Review Chemist with the FDA, will bring the agency’s science-driven perspective to SPE’s Microplastics Forum, taking place October 20–21 in Baltimore, MD. Register now and make sure to book your hotel room - special SPE rates end on Monday, Sept. 21st. Read more.
The SPE Foundation recently awarded a total of $266,625 in support to students pursuing degrees in plastics and polymer-related fields. This year's program included 102 individual scholarships given to 71 students, representing 40 universities across 21 states and 3 countries. Read more.
Monika Vereij, owner of Verheij Plastics Consulting, based in Munich, Germany, recently passed away. Monika was a past SPE board member who was always quick to help and take those new to the plastics industry under her wing. She was an avid archer and held a degree in plastics engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim. More about Monica here.
William “Bill” John Barvinek, Jr., 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, with family by his side. Bill enjoyed a successful career as a Tool Design Engineer at Collins Radio for 41 years. His life-long expertise in the use of plastics in manufacturing led him to charter the Eastern Iowa Section for SPE in 1980. Read more.
The Injection Molding Innovation Summit, taking place October 22 in Cleveland, OH, brings together molders, material suppliers, technology providers, and OEMs for a focused day of practical insights, real-world solutions, and valuable connections across the injection molding value chain. SPE Chair, Lynzie Nebel, kicks the event off with a morning keynote focused on building a strong workplace culture. More information here.
Join industry leaders, researchers, and innovators at the Innovations in Polyolefins Conference (October 8–9 in Tarragona, Spain), presented by the SPE Southern Europe Regional Interest Group, to explore the latest advancements, emerging opportunities, and practical strategies driving the future of polyolefins. More info.
The SPE Mold Technologies Division has established three permanently endowed scholarships for degree candidates in plastics engineering technologies, plastics engineering sciences, and tooling/manufacturing engineering technologies. The scholarships are available to students at Penn College of Technology, Western Carolina University, and Western Washington University. More details here.
The PLASTICS Industry Association FLiP files showcase future leaders in the plastics industry. Each month SPE News will feature a new FLiP Member!
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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