--- title: "Plastics Engineering" id: "8" type: "page" slug: "plastics-engineering" published_at: "2023-05-24T16:14:46+00:00" modified_at: "2023-06-21T20:35:40+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/index.md" --- [Composites Growth Faces a Lightweighting Cost BarrierOctober 13, 2026Automotive composites demand is rising, but high CAPEX, carbon fiber costs, and labor shortages limit who can scale lightweighting.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/composites-growth-faces-a-lightweighting-cost-barrier-012285/) [PFAS Compliance Uncertainty Grows for Medical Device MakersOctober 12, 2026Many medical devices rely on fluoropolymers, and evolving PFAS regulations are creating new compliance and supply-chain challenges.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pfas-compliance-uncertainty-grows-for-medical-device-makers-012450/) [How Back-Panel Packaging Design Can Build Brand LoyaltyOctober 12, 2026Back and side panels combine storytelling, regulatory information, and design to strengthen packaging communication and build brand loyalty.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/how-back-panel-packaging-design-can-build-brand-loyalty-012251/) [Liquid Crystal Film Reduces Ghost Images in Automotive DisplaysOctober 9, 2026A double-layer liquid crystal polymer film reduces ghost images in automotive AR-HUDs while improving reflectivity and maintaining windshield transparency.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/liquid-crystal-film-reduces-ghost-images-in-automotive-displays-012245/) [Pigment Loading Shapes Thermochromic Plastic RecyclabilityOctober 8, 2026Mechanical recycling can change the color response, surface quality, and mechanical performance of thermochromic polypropylene used in smart packaging.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pigment-loading-shapes-thermochromic-plastic-recyclability-012238/) [Polymeric Membranes Improve Gas Separation in Oil and GasOctober 7, 2026Polymeric membranes improve gas separation efficiency through tailored permeability, selectivity, and resistance to aging and plasticization.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/polymeric-membranes-improve-gas-separation-in-oil-and-gas-012224/) [From PhD Research to ASTM Standard: Apoorva Kulkarni Advances Aquatic Biodegradation TestingOctober 6, 2026Apoorva Kulkarni’s doctoral research helped shape ASTM D8646-26, which estimates temperature-dependent biodegradation behavior in aquatic environments.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/apoorva-kulkarni-astm-d8646-aquatic-biodegradation-012332/) [SPE Microplastics Forum Will Bring Plastics Experts to BaltimoreOctober 5, 2026The SPE Microplastics Forum takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct. 20–21, 2026, covering detection, regulation, and solutions.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/spe-microplastics-forum-will-bring-plastics-experts-to-baltimore-012299/) [Load more](#) ### Popular Articles [Why Recycled Polymers Still Cost More Than Virgin ResinMay 12, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/why-recycled-polymers-still-cost-more-than-virgin-resin-011239/) [New Report Highlights Why Communication Is Becoming a Core Engineering SkillJuly 13, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/why-communication-is-becoming-a-core-engineering-skill-011964/) [AI Models Predict Polymer Degradation During ExtrusionJuly 14, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/ai-models-predict-polymer-degradation-during-extrusion-011703/) [Quantum Pigments Bring Programmable Light to PlasticsJuly 15, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/quantum-pigments-bring-programmable-light-to-plastics-011710/) [Balancing Fire Resistance and Transparency in PETJuly 13, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/balancing-fire-resistance-and-transparency-in-pet-011760/) [Advancing PVDF Separators for Lithium-Ion BatteriesJuly 16, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/advancing-pvdf-separators-for-lithium-ion-batteries-011742/) [Biodegradability : Understanding What “Breaks Down” and What Doesn’tJune 22, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/06/biodegradability-understanding-what-breaks-down-and-what-doesnt-010124/) [Optimizing TPU Durability for Medical DevicesJuly 17, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/optimizing-tpu-durability-for-medical-devices-011747/) [Carbon Black Pigments Create New Recycling Compliance ChallengesAugust 25, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/carbon-black-pigments-create-new-recycling-compliance-challenges-011883/) [Why Recycled Plastics Face Limits in Building ProductsJuly 8, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/why-recycled-plastics-face-limits-in-building-products-011720/) [In-Line Resin Monitoring Targets Recycled Resin VariabilitySeptember 16, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/in-line-resin-monitoring-targets-recycled-resin-variability-012269/) [PLA Foam Aircraft Wings Use Nature-Inspired DesignJuly 23, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/pla-foam-aircraft-wings-use-nature-inspired-design-011770/) ### Events [14 Oct 2026SPE WEBINAR: Why is Flatness One of the Most Difficult Characteristics to Control on a Plastic Part?](https://www.4spe.org/spe-webinar-why-is-flatness-one-of-the-most-difficult-characteristics-to-control-on-a-plastic-part/) [20 Oct 2026Chemical Safety in Plastics: PFAS and Beyond](https://www.4spe.org/pfas26/) [20 Oct 2026Microplastics Forum](https://www.4spe.org/mpf26/) [20 Oct 2026SPE WEBINAR: The Hidden Cost of Manual Plastics Testing](https://www.4spe.org/spe-webinar-the-hidden-cost-of-manual-plastic-testing/) [All events](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/events/) ### Latest SPE news [2026 Injection Molding Summit Spotlights Metal 3D PrintingJuly 29, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/2026-injection-molding-summit-spotlights-metal-3d-printing-012006/) [Elevate Your Career with SPE’s Essentials of Management & Leadership in PlasticsJuly 23, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/elevate-your-career-with-spes-essentials-of-management-leadership-in-plastics-001766/) [FlexForum 2026 Brings Flexible Packaging Leaders to Fort MyersApril 9, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flexforum-2026-brings-flexible-packaging-leaders-to-fort-myers-011346/) [The Debut of the SPE IMPACT AwardsApril 6, 2026](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/the-debut-of-the-spe-impact-awards-011102/) [All SPE News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/spe-news/)