Spring 2026 Newsletter

SPE Medical Plastics Division Chair’s Message – 2026 Update

I am honored to begin my term as Chair of the Medical Plastics Division. I would like to thank the MPD membership and Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve in this role. Their leadership and commitment have made possible the division’s many accomplishments over the past year, and I am proud to contribute to that ongoing, collaborative effort. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to our Past Chair, Ned LeMaster, for his dedication, leadership, and mentorship throughout his two-year term.

As we move through the first quarter of 2026, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished so far this year and to share a look ahead at where we I see opportunities for our division.

Strong Start to the Year

We finished off 2025 with an outstanding program at MD&M MidWest and have continued our momentum with a fantastic presence at MD&M West and ANTEC in 2026. These events continue to be a cornerstone for our division, and this year was no exception.

We hosted 29 speakers and welcomed over 100 attendees, creating valuable opportunities for technical exchange, networking, and community building. It’s encouraging to see continued enthusiasm and engagement around medical plastics. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their time and expertise. Creating opportunities to exchange ideas, to educate, and to forge meaningful connections with our membership remains a top priority for the MPD.

Investing in the Next Generation

One of the highlights of this year has been the launch of our scholarship program, developed in collaboration with our industry partners at IGS GeboJagema. After a rigorous review process, we awarded our first scholarship to highly deserving students.

This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting emerging talent in our field and the enthusiasm our industry partners and sponsors have for generous giving to support education and outreach. Looking ahead, we see an opportunity to expand this program and continue reinvesting in the future of our industry.

Recognizing Excellence

I’d also like to extend congratulations to Pierre Moulinié, our division secretary, who was recently named a Distinguished Fellow of SPE at ANTEC. This is a significant honor and is a testament to Pierre’s longstanding contributions to both the Society and our division.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Opportunity

As many of you know, SPE is moving forward with its merger with the Plastics Industry Association (PIA). We see meaningful opportunities in this collaboration.

PIA brings strong industry connections and corporate engagement, while SPE continues to serve as a technical authority. Together, this creates potential to:

• Expand our membership base
• Enhance the reach and impact of our technical programming
• Increase corporate sponsorship and partnerships with technology advancement as the driving principle

We’re optimistic about what this means for the future of our division, and we will continue to put the advancement of science, engineering, technology, and sustainability first.

Best,

Chris Lyons

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