The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, has officially become a division of the Washington-based Plastics Industry Association (Plastics), finalising an agreement initially announced last September.

The integration aims to unify representation across the entire plastics supply chain, encompassing equipment suppliers, material suppliers, processors, recyclers, and related companies.

Executive committees from both associations approved the merger following recommendations from a joint task group that evaluated the combination.

Under the plan, SPE employees will join the Plastics staff and participate in a collaborative governance framework, with a six-month timeline established to implement a long-term structure for the merged entities.

Plastics President and CEO Matt Seaholm said, “Today marks a significant milestone and an important step forward for the entire plastics industry. 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 will retain its professional identity within Plastics, governed by an executive committee modeled on its current leadership structure. Executive Vice President Patrick Farrey, who also serves as SPE’s chief integration officer, noted, “SPE is excited and proud to announce our formal integration with the Plastics Industry Association. For SPE members, this marks a new chapter of opportunity. Our technical expertise and professional development programs will now reach a broader audience, strengthened by the resources, advocacy and global platform Plastics provides.”

Discover how the integration of SPE and Plastics is reshaping global industry collaboration and member engagement in the full story.

Photo credits to Plastics Industry Association’s official website