GLOBAL SUMMIT TO FOCUS ON ‘RENAISSANCE’ IN NORTH AMERICAN PLASTICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDUSTRY

A new, broad-based industry event called the Global Plastics Summit will convene decision makers and experts from every phase of the supply chain to address the opportunities and challenges of a coming renaissance in North American plastics, one caused by the shale gas boom, the “re-shoring” of business from overseas, and other transformational developments, it was announced today by SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association.

Co-produced by SPI and IHS Chemical, a provider of global market and economic information, the first Global Plastics Summit will take place November 4-6, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago.

“The abundant feedstock of shale gas is changing the global landscape of plastics manufacturing,” said William R. (Bill) Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI. “Plastics manufacturers must understand the implications of plentiful feedstock, along with other pivotal developments that are on the Global Plastics Summit agenda, in order to capture new opportunities in domestic and international markets.”

The North American plastics industry is on the cusp of a new wave of expansion, according to Nick Vafiadis, senior director of global plastics at IHS Chemical. “Manufacturers here are positioned to become global suppliers at a level we’ve not seen before,” he said. “These are exciting times for the industry, and the Global Plastics Summit will be an unparalleled collaborative experience.”

Concurrent workshops on commodity, engineering, and bio-based resins will take place on the first day of the Global Plastics Summit, followed by two days of presentations and discussions on upstream and downstream expansions in the industry, shifting regional competitive advantages, emergence of new technologies, demand for greener manufacturing, and the price, supply, and demand outlook for the major polymers in key producing regions.

Information and registration are available at www.GlobalPlasticsSummit.com. Workshop agendas are currently posted at the site, and a conference agenda will be available shortly.

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. From resin suppliers and equipment makers to processors and brand owners, SPI is proud to represent all facets of the U.S. plastics industry. 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.

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs more than 6,000 people in 31 countries around the world. Visit www.ihs.com.