SPI to Co-Sponsor 16th Annual Meeting of the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society in June
March 18, 2009
Contact:
Barry Eisenberg
(202) 974-5210
beisenberg@plasticsindustry.org
Three-Day Symposium to Address Design, Synthesis, Characterization, Processing and Applications of Biodegradable and Other Environmentally Degradable Polymers
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 18, 2009) -- Bringing together scientists, program managers and policymakers for three days of technical and industrial presentations pertaining to biodegradable and other environmentally degradable polymers, “Polymers and the Environment: Emerging Technologies and Science,” the 16th Annual Meeting of the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society (BEPS), will be held June 16-19, 2009 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill.
Co-hosted by BEPS, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, the meeting is dedicated to the growth and innovation of bioplastics and will explore topics such as biobased packaging and coating technology; biodegradable standards, definitions and methods; carbohydrate-based materials; cellulose polymers and composites; PHA- and PLA-based materials; global trends in plastics and the environment; new products, processes, emerging markets and applications; and more.
“SPI is pleased to be a co-sponsor of this prestigious event for the second time,” said Melissa Hockstad, vice president of SPI’s Material Suppliers Council and executive director of the Bioplastics Council, a special interest group launched by SPI in 2008. “More than 50 presentations from around the world will cover cutting-edge research and technology with a focus on connecting the science to real-world applications for the growing bioplastics market.”
After kicking off with an opening reception the evening of June 16th, the opening plenary session on the 17th will feature:
- Steven Baker – Federal Trade Commission, Midwest Office
- Holly Bamford – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program
- Johanne Denault – National Research Council of Canada, Biotechnology Research Institute
- Luis Diaz – CalRecovery, Inc.
- George John - City University of New York, Department of Chemistry
- Ramani Narayan – Michigan State University, Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
- Patrick Taylor – U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command, Environmental Acquisition & Logistics Sustainment Program
For program details and registration information, visit www.beps.org or contact Tania Farries at tfarries@plasticsindustry.org or (202) 974-5267.
Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $380 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly 900 thousand American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative advocacy, market research, industry promotion, and the fostering of business relationships and zero waste strategies. SPI also owns and produces the international NPE trade show. All profits from NPE are reinvested into SPI’s industry services. Find SPI online at www.plasticsindustry.org and www.inthehopper.org.
"From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry," said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO, SPI. Our most recent economic reports show that the plastics industry as a whole is resilient, and has come through the recession significantly better than other U.S. manufacturing sectors."
