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SPE News - February 20, 2026

February 20, 2026

  What's Happening Around SPE

ANTEC® 2026 • March 9–12, 2026 • Learn More
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown

ANTEC® Hotel Rooms Going Fast!

ANTEC®, taking place March 9-12 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, is where plastics professionals will experience first-hand what’s currently in practice in plastics technology—and how to position themselves for the future. Special hotel rates of $169/night end this Monday, Feb. 23rd! Book your room before they’re gone.

SPE Announces 2026 Honored Service Members

SPE is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its prestigious Honored Service Members (HSM) award. Honored Service Members include Dr. Craig Benson, Frank J. Popola, and Ann Smeltzer. https://www.4spe.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=9335Read more.

SPE Fellow of the Society Winners Announced

SPE recently announced the winners of the Fellow of Society award for 2026. Recipients include Dr. Jay Hanan, Dr. David Jack, Dr. Patrick Lee, Mark MacLean-Blevins, Dr. Kimberly McLoughlin, Dr. Pierre Moulinie, Dr. Ramani Narayan, Dr. Sarav Sengupta, and Dr. Margaret Sobkowicz Kline. Read more.

PLASTICS Industry Association

PLASTICS: Employment Steady Amid Labor Trends

Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), has released a new analysis on plastics employment, highlighting how consumer demand, manufacturing growth, and economic headwinds are shaping near-term workforce stability in the plastics and rubber products sector. Read more.

National Week of Flame Retardants March 23-25 Online

If you’re responsible for evaluating flame retardant technologies, selecting additives, or ensuring compliance across industries, then you need to be at SPE's National Week of Flame Retardants 2026, taking place online March 23-25. Hear from flame retardant experts, regulatory specialists, and major suppliers, while gaining practical insights that you can apply to your processes immediately! More info.

Polymer Engineering & Science

SPE Journal Announces "Editors Choice" for Feb.

Effect of Low-Density Polyethylene on the Processability of a Tubular-Blown Polypropylene Film, written by Yoko Fujii, Hoang Giang Dai Vo, Takumitsu Kida, Masayuki Yamaguchi, and Toshihiko Okumura, has been chosen for the editor’s choice paper for SPE’s journal Polymer Science and Engineering in February. Read here.

SPE Additives & Color Europe Conference 2026 Call for Papers

The SPE Additives & Color Europe Conference, taking place April 29-30 in Valencia, Spain, is for plastics professionals to learn about the latest in state-of-the-art additives, pigments & dyes and masterbatches for plastics. A Call for Papers/Presentations has been announced and should be focused on the latest innovations, technologies and best practices for improved performance, manufacturing productivity, and quality. Abstract submission deadline is February 28th, 2026. Click here to submit your abstract.

  SPE Quick Takes

  SPE Foundation

A Legacy of Scientific Discovery and Education

Published in Plastics Technology
Mike Sepe’s legacy in plastics was cemented by all those he mentored — directly in his consultations and indirectly via his hundreds of columns. His enduring influence is reaching a new generation with a scholarship created in his name that was recently awarded for the first time. Read more.

SPE Foundation Awards $304,000 in Scholarships to 81 Students

Published in Plastics Technology
Recipients, including the inaugural Michael P. Sepe Memorial Scholarship winner, are pursuing degrees at 45 universities and trade schools in five countries. Read more.

  Chapter News

SPE Automotive Division Announces Winners for Annual Automotive Innovation Program

SPE’s Automotive Division announced the winners for its 54th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Program, the oldest and largest recognition event (established in 1970) in the automotive and plastics industries. The announcement was made on the evening of Nov. 5, during the SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Gala held at Laurel Manor in Livonia, Michigan. Read more.

Innovations in Polyolefins Conference Call for Papers

The SPE Southern Europe Regional Interest Group invites researchers, industry experts to submit papers for the Innovations in Polyolefins Conference, taking place October 2026 in Tarragona, Spain. Papers can focus on innovations in polyolefin production methods, sustainability in polyolefins, regulatory challenges, and strategies, microplastics and environmental impact, alternatives to conventional polyolefins, future trends, advanced characterization techniques, and more. Submit your paper today!

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. 

  Upcoming Events

SPE ANTEC® 2026

SPE ANTEC® 2026

March 9-12 | Pittsburgh, PA
Register Now
SPE Event

National Week of Flame Retardants

Begins March 23 | Online
Register Now
SPE Event

SPE WORKSHOP: Introduction to Polymer Rheology

Begins March 26 | Online
Register Now
SPE Event

SPE WORKSHOP: Plastics Compounding

Begins April 1 | Online
Register Now
SPE Event

SPE COURSE: Understanding Wear and Friction in Plastics

April 6 | Online
Register Now
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Lynzie Nebel

Lynzie Nebel

Upstream Quote Engineer, Cytiva; Co-host, PlastChicks Podcast; President-Elect, SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals. Throughout her career, Lynzie has gained experience in the automotive, appliance, medical, pet, and micro injection molding industries. Lynzie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Plastics Engineering Technology from Penn State Behrend in 2008. She has been a member of SPE since 2004 and has been involved in her local section, holding many positions including past President. Lynzie also sits on the Injection Molding Division and is the former secretary for the SPE Foundation board. In 2015, Lynzie was part of Plastics News' inaugural class of "Women Breaking the Mold," and was named one of the group's "Rising Stars" in 2018. She is also on the Industrial Advisory Board for Penn State's Plastics Department.

Mercedes Landázuri

Mercedes Landázuri

Mercedes Landázuri leads trend insight & innovation for Ampacet, a global manufacturer of color and additive masterbatch. Additionally, she hosts trend forecasting workshops for Color Marketing Group, the premier global color forecasting association, and was elected to their board of directors in 2024. In her spare time, she has served as a guest lecturer for College for Creative Studies, Western Michigan University, and Advanced Design’s virtual courses. She is an active volunteer for SPE, having held the highest leadership positions within the Color and Appearance Division, the Recycling Division, and the NextGen Advisory Board. Landázuri co-founded and co-hosts the award-winning PlastChicks podcast with Lynzie Nebel. Landázuri was named a Plastics News Rising Star in 2017 and a Woman Breaking the Mold in 2024.