SPE ANTEC 2013 opens amidst renewed growth for plastics industry

Reflecting this expansion is the broad range of programs available to industry professionals during ANTEC 2013. In addition to the world’s largest plastics technical conference, for example, there is a new “Business of Plastics” conference focusing on non-technical issues of business management. A co-located trade show with 95 exhibitors ranks as the largest plastics exposition in the U.S. this year.

“The strong and diversified program for ANTEC 2013 is emblematic of this auspicious year for both our industry and SPE,” said Willem (Wim) De Vos, SPE’s CEO. “After a difficult period, sustained growth has returned to the plastics business, and manufacturing jobs are coming back to the U.S. At the same time, SPE’s membership is entering a new era of growth, particularly as the Society expands internationally, and our educational programs are flourishing. The most recent SPE conferences in the U.S. have broken records, our first ANTEC in India was very successful, we expect good attendance at EUROTEC? in July, and we are planning similar events in the Middle East and China.”   

The ANTEC 2013 conference consists of more than 500 original, peer-reviewed technical papers   in 35 topic areas, plus more than 30 business presentations. In addition, nineteen special presentations—by speakers in plenary sessions and the New Technology Forum—will focus on emerging technologies, new advanced materials, the shale gas boom, and key market sectors like medical and wire and cable.

The Business of Plastics conference, produced by SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, presents reports on the state of the U.S. and global plastics industry, trends in key end use sectors, and issues involving human capital, workplace safety, recycling, and social media.