SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association & SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers) Partner

October 13, 2016

SPE to Host Track at SPI’s Second-Annual Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit

October 13, 2016 – WASHINGTON – SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association announced today that the Sustainability Division of SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers) is an official partner for its second-annual Re|focus Sustainability & Recycling Summit, and that the associations are now accepting proposals for the Summit. Leveraging the vast technical expertise of the Sustainability Division, SPE will create the Sustainable Technology and Engineering track for the Summit. This track will address the technical challenges that product designers and manufacturers may encounter as they better design products for recycling, increase use of recycled content and overall improve sustainability of products and the manufacturing process. Re|focus will be held on June 27-29, 2017 in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to welcome leading companies, from major U.S. brands to plastics producers to recyclers.

"We are excited to work with SPE on creating a conference track that reaches engineers and designers, a core audience group who play an increasingly important role in driving how we think about sustainability in manufacturing," said SPI's President and CEO William R. Carteaux. "Success in sustainability requires fully engaging the supply chain, and that's exactly why we launched our inaugural Re|focus Summit this year."

SPI and SPE work together to collaborate on pressing issues in the plastics industry, from talent recruitment to educational outreach. The industry is spearheading efforts, like Re|focus, to meet consumer and company demands to create products that minimize their impact on the environment, from ideation to execution.

"SPI's inaugural Re|focus Summit was a step forward for our industry, and truly brings together a unique and important mix of companies who need to share key learnings and best practices to move our sustainability goals forward," said Bill Schreiber, conference chair of SPE's sustainability division. "Our track at next year's Summit will help attendees better understand solutions to the technical and conceptual challenges plastics engineers face in pursuit of creating environmentally-friendly products."

SPI's Re|focus Summit in 2016 welcomed a host of dynamic speakers and attendees, including representation from major consumer companies such as S.C. Johnson, Keurig and Proctor & Gamble, among others. For the latest updates on the Summit, please visit the website: RefocusSummit.org.

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About SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association

Representing nearly one million workers in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes plastics manufacturing, works to make our members and the industry more competitive globally, and advances recycling and the stewardship of resources. Plastics innovations continuously improve products ranging from healthcare and medical devices to building and construction, automotive and packaging. From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors, brand owners and the recycling community, we proudly represent all segments of the U.S. plastics industry. 

Founded in 1937, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association promotes growth in the $427 billion U.S. plastics industry. Representing nearly one million American workers in the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry, SPI delivers legislative and regulatory 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."