n June of last year, at our IAPD Leadership Development Conference in Denver, CO, USA, our featured speaker Sam Richter blew our minds demonstrating the incredible advancements of artificial intelligence (AI), and the speed at which it is progressing and changing. AI was also a hot topic during the Small Distributor and Fabricator Roundtable in Anaheim, CA, USA, in November 2024. I’m sure many of you have been experimenting with generative AI applications such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and others. Now, AI is even built into many of our computer software applications and mobile phone operating systems.

s IAPD continues to evolve to meet the dynamic needs of the performance plastics industry, we are proud to introduce the IAPD Member Resource Hub — an innovative, members-only area on the IAPD website designed to deliver unparalleled value to our members. To fully appreciate the significance of this launch, it’s important to reflect on our past strategies, the lessons learned and the new direction we’re embracing to strengthen the value of IAPD membership.

Historically, IAPD operated under a strategy focused on educating not just our members, but also the end-use customers of our distributor members — designers, specifiers and engineers. This approach led to the development of numerous resources accessible to nonmembers, including:

The Designing with Plastics newsletter: A monthly publication that repurposed articles, webinars and other resources targeted at end-use customers.

Durable packaging that can withstand various weather conditions is essential to keep lumber safe during transportation and storage. Liberty Plastics, Inc. created a packaging solution to protect lumber for a building materials distributor who needed to prevent damage and revenue loss while storing their wood products outdoors.

The packaging solution needed to withstand the transportation process while also protecting the lumber from moisture and frost damage upon arrival. The packaging also required the ability to:

• Ship flat, easy-to-store and assemble
• Withstand cracking and splitting
• Sustain long-term outdoor conditions, rain, UV, wind and cold
• Provide flexible and lightweight protection
• Reduce slippage from frost accumulation

recent technical brief from the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association provides comprehensive evidence addressing concerns about vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in PVC pipe applications, particularly for drinking water systems.

The report highlights how the PVC industry has effectively addressed historical VCM concerns through significant manufacturing improvements since the 1970s. The polymerization process used to create PVC resin fundamentally prevents VCM reversion, much like an irreversible chemical reaction.

At CES 2025, Covestro LLC unveiled new digital simulation tools designed to optimize heat management in components made from its Makrolon® TC thermally conductive polycarbonate materials. The company’s high-fidelity simulation approach improves prediction accuracy for injection-molded heatsink performance by accounting for directional thermal conductivity from fiber filler orientations using micromechanics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Additionally, Covestro introduced the Makrolon® TC Heatsink Screener, a web-based tool leveraging AI technology that allows customers to virtually test heatsink designs using various Makrolon® TC grades and compare them against traditional die-cast aluminum solutions. The tool can also suggest optimized design configurations to balance thermal management with weight and cost benefits.

urbell Plastics, Inc. has made significant strides in sustainability at their Arlington, TX, USA location through the implementation of impactful recycling initiatives.

Since May 2024, the facility has partnered with Service Waste Inc. (SWI) in Fort Worth, TX to process plant waste into Post-Industrial Recycled Fuel (PIRF), a cleaner alternative to coal used by SWI’s cement plant partner in Midlothian, TX. This innovative program has already diverted 77.95 tons of waste — equivalent to 155,900 pounds — from landfills, transforming materials like pallets, plastic scraps and rubber into alternative fuel.

n a competitive market characterized by rapid technology advancements and evolving customer expectations, it is more important than ever for performance plastic distributors to find a competitive edge that sets them apart. One of the most effective approaches to adding value and new revenue sources is by diversifying product and service offerings. This may involve expanding into niche markets or adding new machining operations you haven’t offered before.

While introducing new services may seem challenging, the key is to partner with a manufacturing machinery and technology provider that specializes in a broad spectrum of solutions. Taking this important first step ensures you are making the correct — and profitable — investments by helping identify customers’ needs and optimizing offerings to meet those demands.

crylics are used in a variety of applications and are very popular in both residential and commercial products. Acrylics are available in vibrant and unique colors, making them more appealing to consumers than glass. Additionally, acrylic products require much less maintenance and care than glass products. Acrylic is a safer, more cost-effective and durable option compared to glass and other plastic materials. It is transparent, shatterproof, easy-to-use and highly versatile, but it is imperative that you know how to clean, polish and repair your acrylic to extend its life.

Cleaning your acrylics often will help promote longevity and clarity. With acrylic’s versatility, it may be more susceptible to dust, dirt and germs building up on the surface. Whether you are a professional or a DIY enthusiast, you need to maintain and care for your acrylics, keeping in mind that they can be sensitive to certain cleaners. Below are a few best practices for cleaning and maintaining your acrylic sheet.

ngineering thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate, nylon, and PET, are increasingly being utilized in applications traditionally dominated by metals. Their superior wear resistance, durability and cost-effectiveness make them an attractive alternative. However, the machining of these materials is inherently more complex than that of commodity plastics or metals. A common misconception among machinists is that the same tooling and techniques used for metals can be applied to engineered thermoplastics. This approach often leads to a host of issues, including poor surface finishes, excessive wear on tools and even damage to the piece itself.

Key challenges that arise when machining engineered thermoplastics include:

Re-welding or melting of chips: Improper feeds and speeds can lead to excessive heat generation, causing chips to re-weld to the workpiece.

n marine applications, high technology plastics are used in creative ways that stretch their typical abilities. Increasingly, the non-flammable, high-temperature, high-strength qualities of these plastics mandate that they be made by expensive processes such as compression molding and filament winding. However, these processes are not suited for smaller parts used in industries that require rigorous series of tests. These parts must also withstand an extended service life without failure.

Craftech Industries, Inc. has been molding polyetherimide (PEI) since it was first commercially developed in the 1980’s. For the past number of years we have worked with a major defense customer to manufacture injection molded, glass-filled PEI paneling retention nuts used in the U.S. submarine fleet. On the surface, these parts look like many other Craftech projects but, to meet the stringent requirements for submarines, the fabrication behind the finished part is much different.

While PEI is not the most expensive or high temperature material on the market, it is used extensively in demanding applications as it exhibits extremely low outgassing and can tolerate temperatures from -40°F/-40°C to 350°F/176.7°C without losing elasticity. Additionally, PEI is microwave clear, a requirement for the submarine application.

Gavigan started at Redwood eight years ago as an outside sales representative in the Langley branch. He quickly became a star in the role, exceeding sales targets and growing the customer base from new industries. He quickly ascended at Redwood, becoming the business development manager, then director of sales for Canada. Now, as new vice president of sales he will oversee all sales initiatives, teams and operations throughout Redwood.

As Gavigan steps into his new role, Dale Delmage will step back from his role as our vice president of sales as he prepares for his retirement in April. The company has expressed gratitude for Delmage’s steadfast leadership throughout the years, leading the sales team through complex challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and significant shifts in core markets.

Vortex Tool Company, Inc. designs and manufactures a wide variety of standard and custom high-performance router and insert cutting tools for the woodworking and plastics industries, and provides retipping and sharpening services for all makes and models. www.vortextool.com, phone (800) 355-7708.