The SPE International Polyolefins Conference draws prominent and distinguished speakers in the polyolefins industry from around the world. We safely assert that the science and technology presented at the SPE IPOC will have great impact on the future of the industry.
Call for Speakers
Inspiring and Enabling Innovation for Polyolefins
| The 2024 SPE International Polyolefins Conference will be held on February 18-21, 2024 in Galveston, Texas. The SPE South Texas Section in collaboration with the SPE Polymer Modifiers and Additives Division, the Thermoplastic Materials and Foams Division, the Engineering Properties and Structures Division, the Building and Infrastructure Division, the Applied Rheology Division, and the Flexible Packaging Division are organizing sessions in the following areas: |
- Machine learning and AI in the Polyolefins industry
- New mechanical and chemical recycling processes
- Modelling and experimental advances in applied rheology
- Polyolefin processing fundamentals
- New technologies for sorting that enable recycling
- Upcycling applications
- Catalyst enabling recyclability
- Sustainability incubators Safer materials – applications and challenges
- Bio-circular/Plant-based feedstocks
- Processing diverse feedstocks in recycled material – diverse mechanical and chemical properties
- New converter driven technologies and applications
- Polyolefin Additives and Modifiers
- Design for recyclability
- Polyolefins in infrastructure
- 3D Printing
- Polyolefin composites
- Polyolefins in extreme applications- aerospace, defense, energy
- PE Pipe
- Polyolefin elastomers
- Automotive applications- impact modifiers, EVs, and light weighting
- Regulatory dynamics – sustainable materials, recycling, and additives
- Polyolefins in solar and wind energy
There will be an expanded slate of 150 technical presentations and an exhibition hall of over 60 industry suppliers, ranging from equipment, compounding, additives, and more.
This year we are expanding to include 25 sessions and 150 speakers from Monday morning (February 19) to lunchtime on Wednesday (February 21). With nearly 1000 attendees at last year’s hybrid conference, expanding the technical program will allow for engagement on a broader range of topics reaching more professionals in the Polyolefins industry.
Particulars:
Final papers, presentations, and recordings are due January 22, 2024.
Speaks should submit abstracts initially for consideration to be a speaker through the submission portal. If accepted, speakers will eventually submit a PDF or PPT copy of their presentation, a bio, and a video of their presentation (mp4 voice over of a PowerPoint presentation or Zoom mp4 video copy of their presentation). Full papers are optional.
Talks should be 20-25 minutes (30 minutes total including questions and answers).
We are pleased to announce the following Keynote Speakers…
Venki Chandrashekar VP, Research and Technology-Chevron Phillips Chemical Company-will speak Monday, February 19, 2024.
His talk is entitled-Propelling Circularity and Climate Action Through Innovation and Technology
Currently, VP of Research and Technology for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Recent previous roles as General Manager, Corporate Planning and Development and General Manager, Petrochemicals and Specialty Chemicals at CPChem. Prior to joining Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2012, worked as an independent consultant to several investment banks, the International Finance Corporation (World Bank) and top consulting companies. From 1992 – 2009, worked for Lyondell/LyondellBasell and led or assisted several M&A transactions and joint ventures for the polymers and chemicals business as Director, Corporate Development. Earlier positions include research and technology, licensing and commercial functions at Lyondell, Aristech (Braskem), and Tolaram Fibers.
Came to the U.S. from India in 1982 to attend graduate school at Kansas State University after finishing undergraduate engineering degree in Textile Technology from the University of Madras, India. Passionate about mentoring and developing young diversity professionals and interested in cross-border and cross-cultural dealings both personally and professionally. Married to Rohini, a board-certified Physical Therapist, and they have two sons Vikrama and Siddartha.
Other activities include serving as Chairman of Board, American Styrenics (AMSTY), Board Member of Coastal Risk Consulting, non-profit boards of Kansas State School of Health and Human Sciences Alumni, and Secretary of the board of trustees of The Hindu Temple of The Woodlands. Volunteer for a number of Indian and local community causes and raising funds for education and community outreach in the Woodlands, Texas.
Anne-Marie Boulay, Professor at Polytechnique Montreal and General Director of the International Life Cycle Consortium of the CIRAIG will speak on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Her talk is entitled-Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool to Help Avoid Misconceptions Around the Environmental Performance of Plastics and their Alternatives-will speak Tuesday, February 20, 2023.
Professor Boulay is professor at Polytechnique Montreal and General Director of the International Life Cycle Consortium of the CIRAIG, an international research partnership spreading between Polytechnique Montreal and UQAM in Canada; and EPFL and HES-SO in Switzerland. She coordinated the WULCA working group to build consensus into achieving a harmonized method for assessing water use in LCA and is a co-founder and co-chair of the MarILCA (Marine Impacts in LCA) international working group supported by UNEP Life Cycle Initiative and FSLCI, leading the development of metrics to assess impacts for plastic emissions in the environment. She holds the Canadian Research Chair level 2 in Impacts of plastic in the environment.
Alison Keane, President and CEO of Flexible Packaging Association, will speak Wednesday, February 21, 2023.
Alison Keane is an environmental attorney with over 25 years’ experience in both the private and governmental sectors. She is currently the President and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), the association representing U.S. converters of film, foil, paper and other materials into packages for food, medical device and industrial products. Prior to joining the FPA in 2016, she was with the American Coatings Association (ACA) for 16 years and served first as Counsel and then as Vice President for Government Affairs. She was also the Executive Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the ACA’s product stewardship organization – PaintCare. Other employment experience includes the Environmental Protection Agency’s Headquarters office, the Maryland State Senate and private practice. Alison has her BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and her JD from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. She is admitted to the practice of law in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.
IPOC speakers may use the following logo to promote their presence at the event.
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Program/Technical Chair
Preston McDaniel
