As someone who is considering buying a new car, I wanted to do some research as to the latest makes and models. During my research I happened to stumble upon the recent unveilings at the IAA (Internationale Automobil Ausstellung) show in Frankfurt a few weeks ago. I found it really impressive and indicative of the future of plastics and automobiles.

We all are aware of the important role that plastics play in the world of automobiles.  Plastics are used in a wide range of parts – including batteries, body panels, bumpers, dashboard, fuel systems, lighting systems, airbags and upholstery. In addition, plastics offer a bevy of benefits, including:

• Weight savings to support reduction of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions
• No corrosion allowing longer life vehicles
• Substantial design freedom allowing advanced creativity and innovation
• Flexibility in integrating components
• Safety, comfort and economy

So what new and futuristic uses of plastics were exhibited?  For one, BMW showed off a hybrid two-seater as part of its Vision EfficientDynamics program.  The car uses a roof and outer door skins made of what the company calls a “special polycarbonate glass” that automatically darkens as light shines on the car. In addition, the window panes are covered with a polycarbonate laminate on the inside in order to prevent shattered glass particles from penetrating the interior (which could be very important if one got in an accident).

Design consultancy EDAG presented its 150km (93 mile) range all-electric drive light car concept for the first time. The concept design uses “Composite Solar Modules” that feature highly flexible solar panels. These panels are embedded in transparent plastics such as poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycarbonate.

Volkswagen continues to refine its plans for a hyper-efficient car and unveiled the L1 prototype car which is capable of driving 158 mpg.  (See the cool video of this car above.)  To achieve such high levels of efficiency, Volkswagen engineers focused on making the L1 as light and aerodynamic as possible. Carbon fiber skin keeps the body weight to just 273 pounds, while the whole car weighs less than 850 pounds.  Drag has also been reduced by replacing the side mirrors with cameras and enclosing the entire underbody.  If it weren’t for the plastics, this car could not have been created.

Yes, I know that many of the cars unveiled at the show are still in prototype phases.  However,  I’m excited to see cool new uses of plastics in the next generation automobile. Now, if only I could find that 100+ mpg car at my local dealer today.

You’ve heard the rumors. You’ve read the industry papers and blogs. The grapevine is full of discussion that NPE is looking to change its 40-year tradition of being held in Chicago. Today, I want to say that…it’s ALL true!

NPE—The International Plastics Showcase—has a new home! I am pleased to announce that NPE, the triennial plastics industry expo and conference, will be moving to Orlando for 2012 and 2015. NPE2012 will be held at the Orange County Convention Center from April 1-5, and NPE2015 from March 22-26. As many of you know, this is big news! Founded by SPI in 1946, NPE had taken place at Chicago’s McCormick Place since 1971.

The move to Orlando was a decision made by the industry, for the industry. The SPI leadership, steered by the NPE Operations and Executive Committees, conducted a thorough review and analysis of the two contending host venues—Chicago and Orlando. In particular, NPE2012 Chairman John Effmann of ENTEK Manufacturing and Vice Chairman Jim Murphy of Davis Standard Corporation along with SPI Board Chairman Jim Buonomo of Nypro and Vice Chairman Chris Keller of The Conair Group deserve a pat on the back for the many hours they have spent personally reviewing the numbers and meeting with representatives from the two host venues. They have taken every aspect of the show into consideration along with the final proposals from the contenting host venues and presented their recommendation to the SPI Executive Board for final action. Here’s the bottom line: Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center will offer both exhibitors and attendees significant cost-savings that will continue the economic stimulus measures SPI enacted for NPE2009.

The NPE Operations Committee recommended Orlando after doing a systematic comparison of all possible venues. What we learned is that holding NPE2012 in Orlando would provide big reductions in the chief expenses incurred by exhibitors and attendees. These reductions could save the two groups an average of: 48% for booth utilities; 19% for on-site hauling (“drayage”) and rigging services for exhibitors; 23% on lodging; and 11% on overall travel. The savings on travel from the U.S. Midwest—a key plastics manufacturing region at whose heart is Chicago—would be even greater: 19%.  Finally, Orlando demonstrated a greater range in pricing than Chicago for hotels and restaurants, and lower costs for ground transportation expenses like cabs to and from the airport and convention center parking.

All in all, by moving the show to Orlando, SPI can save the plastics industry up to $20-million — which will play a substantial role in SPI’s mission to stimulate the plastics industry’s economic recovery.

And it’s not all about cost.  Orlando also was the clear winner with customer service. At the end of the day, Team Orlando led by the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Orange County Convention Center won the bid because of  its community effort, professionalism, dedication to service, partnership mindset–we’re not just a customer—and innovative spirit. Orlando truly made the discernible difference with a customer-service-centric attitude that will play a major role in enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved in the 2012 trade show.

I am also really excited about three other NPE innovations that will come with the change of venue:

• The switch to early April from the traditional late-June dates will allow far more time for exhibitors to follow up on inquiries and leads generated before summer vacations.
• Instead of the traditional Monday opening day, NPE2012 will start on Sunday, with educational programs and other special events; the trade show will be open from Monday through Thursday, eliminating the sparsely attended final half-day of previous shows.
• SPI will address the longstanding wish of attendees and exhibitors that exhibits be grouped by product category.

Over the next several weeks I will blog again to share more information about the industry-wide benefits and opportunities of NPE’s new home — Orlando!

It’s that time of year again. With the onset of Halloween, the season of eating is upon us. Right up to the first of the year, the edible delights come in all shapes and forms, offering a full eight weeks of packing in the food and putting on the pounds. 

News articles abound on tips to survive the weight gain perils of holiday consumption. My strategy? Enjoy myself and opt for plastic pants! Every year, prior to Thanksgiving (which, in my family, has turned from a one day affair to a weekend extravaganza) I contemplate what exactly my holiday wardrobe will entail. You have to have clothes with room enough to accommodate every morsel of turkey, every scoop of mashed potatoes and every bite of pie, right?

The age old answer: stretch. Good ol’ spandex, elastic stretch. (“Spandex” is an anagram of the word “expands,” right?)  The ingenuity of polymer science helps you suck it all in and keep it in place. The same stuff also lets it all hang out, expanding  to provide ample room for all of you… plus an entire Christmas ham. Thanks to the wonders of plastic, our clothing can expand and contract like the best bull/bear market Wall Street has ever seen.

Our clothing is a blend of polymers, taking natural fabrics such as silk, cotton and wool, and adding the gift of “give” through synthetics.  My old friend, spandex, is joined by others such as acrylic, nylon, polyester  and rayon. All  provide various qualities to clothing.  Some fabrics are selected for their ability to drape well, wrinkle less or hold up better than their natural counterparts. There are even those that provide water resistance, wick away sweat  or maintain body heat (like much of our fitness clothing or outdoor garments). 

My interest is in maintaining my seasonal marathon eating while also holding on to some stylistic sense. If you look around at the holiday clothing choices, my guess is you will see lots of items containing Tencel and Viscose. These are silky, shiny and fashionable items that look about the size of a postage stamp before you slither into them, and could expand to cover the Hindenburg if need be.  Perfect for looking sporty or chic or festive at our holiday gatherings, and still allowing for binge eating at parties. Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dinner, desserts?  No problem! Plastics have you covered.

So, get to eating! The stretch and give in your clothing will be there to see you through. My favorite giant tunic top and stretchy black pants will be there too — right up to the ten pound weight loss New Year’s resolution I will make January 1st.  Only then will it be back to fitness gear .

Last weekend my wife and I flew to California to meet my sister in-law’s fiancé for the first time. Unfortunately my soon-to-be brother in-law and I got off on the wrong foot.  Mike seemed to be the type of guy who saw public policy issues concerning the environment in only black or white terms. Put it this way: If plastic was the only available choice of bag, Mike would rather walk miles with a heavy and cumbersome load of grocery items in his arms. I recognized that Mike and I would not see eye-to-eye on a number of issues. But could we at least find some common ground?          

 Upon learning that I worked on behalf of the plastics industry, Mike questioned how I could live with myself.  Instead of debating, I played nice and brushed off his accusations with humor and other means of deflection. While I managed to diffuse the situation for a time, I realized that this issue would return before I left for home. Sure enough, during dinner one night, Mike informed the family that he recently purchased a hybrid vehicle (a Toyota Prius specifically) and has managed to achieve a  fuel economy of more than 50 miles to the gallon. So he said while I was “killing the environment,” he was doing his best to help “Mother Earth.”  Everyone turned to me for a response. 

For my wife’s sake, I once again attempted to avoid the conflict that was brewing. But it was proving difficult.  So I began discussing the energy saving attributes of plastics. I cited the plastic window kits that insulate houses during the winter. I noted the amount of fuel that is saved by using plastic in a car—noting that every pound of plastic in a car replaces up to three pounds of other materials, which can increase a car’s fuel economy by 6%.  I also mentioned that the material of choice for windmill rotor blades is carbon filament-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP).  I also underscored the need for municipalities to improve recycling efforts, and innovative plastics projects and programs involving waste-to-energy.  I even told him all the ways our trade show, NPE2009, showcased how plastics contribute to a sustainable world.

Maybe it was my convincing argument, or the not so gentle nudge by my sister in-law, but the heated debate soon ended with Mike nodding and saying “I never thought of that.”

When I returned to D.C., I came across another really interesting article that discussed efforts to reduce vehicle weight further via plastic engines. I e-mailed it to Mike with a simple message: “Imagine the possibilities with plastics.” Surprisingly, Mike called me from his honeymoon to apologize for his abrasive behavior, and thanked me for opening his eyes to the ways  plastics contribute to sustainability. 

Although I don’t think Mike will be asking for plastic bags at the grocery store anytime soon, I do believe he is a little less rigid in his atitude toward polymeric materials.