SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals

Empowering Plastics Professionals to Succeed.

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Learn from Experts

You can gain direct access to industry experts for the latest insights and innovations in plastics through events, workshops, webinars, and publications.

You can grow in the plastics industry through building relationships with your peers, participating in events, engaging in SPE’s online communities, and by connecting through mentorship opportunities.

Become a Leader

SPE offers pathways for you to become a leader in plastics, helping you build your network, gain industry recognition, and advance professionally.

Promote Your Business

SPE connects your business with influential industry leaders, including key decision-makers, through multiple platforms, that help strengthen your presence in the plastics industry.

Support the Industry

SPE supports the plastics industry through the SPE Foundation by funding educational programs, and providing grants and scholarships for students. SPE also supports the industry through participating in programs such as the United Nations Environment Assembly.

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SPE ANTEC® 2026

Solve real-world challenges! Make connections! ANTEC® 2026 is where you will find the latest breakthroughs in plastics technology, advanced polymer research, and next-generation processing solutions.

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THROUGH LIVELY DEMONSTRATIONS & HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, PLASTIVAN® IS DESIGNED TO EXCITE STUDENTS ABOUT REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS OF PLASTICS.

PlastiVan® explains the history, chemistry, processing, and sustainability of plastics in addition to describing the opportunities in science and engineering within the plastics industry.

PlastiVan® educators are skilled in tailoring the presentation to meet the needs and grade-level expectations of each classroom.

Download Sheet

HIGH SCHOOL TOPICS

History of polymers/plastics
How your life is impacted by plastics
What engineers and scientists do
Major industries that use plastics
Basic raw materials for plastics
Fractional distillation of crude oil
Biopolymers and sustainable materials
Amorphous and crystalline polymer structure
Manipulating amorphous polymer chains
Injection molding and thermoplastics
Bottle preforms and blow molding
Thermoset plastics and crosslinking
Open—and closed—foamed polymers
Material selection in product design
Hydrophilic, hydrophobic, & oleophilic polymers
Crosslinked polymers & non-Newtonian fluids
Recycling best practices
Chemical vs. Mechanical Recycling
Marine Debris — Causes and Solutions
Recycling in your community
Single-use item vs. single-use material
Circular Economy vs. Sustainable Materials
Management

Curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards

PROGRAM GOALS

Demonstrate the Benefits of Plastics in Everyday Life

Excite Students About Careers in the Plastics Industry

Encourage Students to Recycle at Home and School

Change the Perception of Plastics One Classroom at a Time

Mark Richardson, PlastiVan® Program Coordinator | plastivan@4spe.org | www.PlastiVan.org

SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals

84 countries and 85.6k+ stakeholders strong, SPE unites plastics professionals worldwide – helping them succeed and strengthening their skills through networking, events, training, and knowledge sharing.

No matter where you work in the plastics industry value chain-whether you're a scientist, engineer, technical personnel or a senior executive-nor what your background is, education, gender, culture or age-we are here to serve you.

Our members needs are our passion. We work hard so that we can ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to meet her or his personal & professional goals.