Gayle S. Putrich

Designers and materials suppliers are already on the same page — even if they don't know it.

The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. and the Society of Plastics Engineers are offering a partnered membership program for plastics industry original equipment manufacturers and brand owner companies.

Two California Republicans with ties to the plastics industry held onto their seats in the U.S. House, helping the GOP maintain control over both chambers of the legislative branch.

The fate of the first statewide single-use plastic bag ban remained confusing through Election Day and on into the night, even as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stunned the political world capturing the White House. But by 3:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, 6:30 on the East Coast, it seemed California's bag ban would stand.

Plastics biggest name on Capitol Hill will keep his U.S. Senate seat, with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) fending off a challenge from Democrat Russ Feingold.

After a contentious campaign for the presidency that's been more focused on personality than policy, it's easy to forget that the Nov. 8 election has plenty of implications for the plastics industry and candidates with deep plastic roots.

Cabot Corp., one of the largest specialty black concentrates and compound producers in the world, is investing in new capacity to expand production for plastics formulations for conductive compounds and masterbatches for engineering thermoplastic applications.

Changes in car buyers' expectations are driving automotive design and material selection of the future, said industry experts kicking off the Design Chain @ K conference.

The bio-based products industry is small but growing, according to a government study that shows the industry, including bioplastics, created 220,000 new jobs and grew by $24 billion in 2014.

The bio-based products industry is small but growing, according to a government study that shows the industry, including bioplastics, created 220,000 new jobs and grew by $24 billion in 2014.

Neither candidate for president supports the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, but surrogates for both can't seem to stop pointing out why the other is wrong-headed in their opposition. But at stake for the plastics industry is tariff relief in literally hundreds of ways.

The next president should review the rules of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to give manufacturing a boost, according to trade groups and industry leaders.

The federal government will have enough funds to function through Dec. 9, thanks to a budget extension package passed Sept. 29 which also includes add-ons of interested to the plastics industry — and a few items of interest that didn't make it into the bill.

If you're trying to get the next generation of plastics workers excited about manufacturing, today is the day. The plastics industry is expecting record participation in Manufacturing Day 2016.

The federal government will have enough funds to function through Dec. 9, thanks to a budget extension package passed Sept. 29 which also includes add-ons of interested to the plastics industry — and a few items of interest that didn't make it into the bill.