SPE now is part of the Plastics Industry Association

The Washington-based Plastics Industry Association (Plastics) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), Danbury, Connecticut, say they have finalized an agreement reached last September that entails the SPE becoming a division of Plastics, creating what they call “a unified organization representing the entire plastics supply chain.”

Executive committees from both associations have voted to approve a final agreement that endorses a recommendation developed by a joint task group charged with evaluating the combination of the two organizations.

The plan brings SPE employees onto the staff of Plastics to create what the two groups call “a collaborative governance framework” that establishes a six-month timeline to fully put in place a long-term structure for the merged entities.

A Plastics press release refers to 2026 as a period of integration for the two associations to align, work together and maximize value for their members.

“Today marks a significant milestone and an important step forward for the entire plastics industry,” says Plastics president and CEO Matt Seaholm. “By formally aligning Plastics and SPE as a unified organization, we are combining deep technical expertise with strong industry leadership to better serve our members and strengthen the plastics value chain. This decision is the result of months of collaboration and underscores our shared commitment to innovation, workforce development and ensuring plastics continue to deliver meaningful solutions.”

“SPE is excited and proud to announce our formal integration with the Plastics Industry Association,” says Patrick Farrey, executive vice president of SPE and chief integration officer for the combination. “For SPE members, this marks a new chapter of opportunity.”

Continues Farrey, “Our technical expertise and professional development programs will now reach a broader audience, strengthened by the resources, advocacy and global platform Plastics provides.”

Consistent with the original agreement reached in September, the two groups say SPE will become a division of PLASTICS, governed by an executive committee modeled after SPE’s current leadership structure and members of SPE will retain their membership status, benefits and professional identity within the new division

In terms of leadership, Farrey has joined Plastics as executive vice president of SPE and chief integration officer, leading the transition in a manner designed to ensure continuity for SPE programs, members and stakeholders.

A dedicated landing page with additional information about the merger and its effects now is accessible on the Plastics website.

Plastics describes itself as consisting of equipment suppliers, material suppliers, processors, recyclers and other companies that support the plastics supply chain that together employ more than 1 million people. SPE says it promotes scientific and engineering knowledge in the plastics industry for its more than  85,000 stakeholders in 84 countries.