Performance Plastics: A Publication of The International Association of Plastics Distribution is published bimonthly by the International Association of Plastics Distribution^® (IAPD), 6734 W. 121st Street, Overland Park, KS 66209 USA. IAPD members receive this bimonthly magazine as part of their membership dues. Subscription for non-members is $90. Third class postage paid at Shawnee Mission, Kansas, additional mailing offices and foreign mailing in accordance with Publications Agreement No. 40683057. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to IAPD, 6734 W. 121st Street, Overland Park, KS 66209 USA.

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’m so happy to see the return of the IAPD Annual Convention, coming up soon — August 16-19 — in Louisville, KY, USA. It’s one more sign of things returning to a post-pandemic “normal.” The performance plastics industry is not without its challenges, but it’s great to have in-person meetings, more staff returning to the office and even do some traveling again. It seems so long since we’ve all been together in person at an IAPD event, and I can’t wait to see you all and attend the great sessions that are lined up for us.

We have many reasons to celebrate when we’re all together again in Louisville: Our industry has been through a challenging time, first with the pandemic and now the raw material shortages and price escalations. In all the years I have been in the plastic industry, I do not quite remember a time like now when so many materials are in short supply and the amount and frequency of the price increases. However, even when facing these issues, our industry is resilient and we will forge ahead.

efore everything changed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the pleasure of announcing a new approach to the tradeshow and private supplier meetings at the IAPD Annual Convention: connecX. This new concept is the result of the work of the Convention & Trade Show Task Force, which formed in 2019 to study whether changes needed to be made to the Annual IAPD Convention and Tradeshow. We hoped to launch connecX in 2020, but I’m happy to report that it will debut at the 65th Annual IAPD Convention this August 16-19 in Louisville, KY, USA.

GEHR Plastics, Inc. announced ECO-GEHR PLA-HI^® sheets based on renewable raw materials consisting of 90 percent PLA. They are produced — as all GEHR products — CO₂ neutral according GHG Protocol Scope 1+2. The sheets have high impact strength and are suitable for demanding applications. Mechanical processing of the sheets is easily possible, as are post-processing techniques such as deep drawing, printing, gluing, sawing, drilling and punching. The sheets are available in thicknesses of 2, 3 and 4 mm; width: 1000 mm; length: 2000 mm. The sheets are in stock in natural/translucent color but can also be dyed. www.gehrplastics.com.

*Corresponds to 1,3 lbs CO₂ (emission of greenhouse gas) for the production of 1 lbs ECO-GEHR PLA-HI^® sheets in comparison to ABS: 5,5 lbs CO₂.

3A Composites USA, Inc. hired ACI Design Inc. to create and install graphic elements to decorate its lobby, business offices and product showroom after the company moved its headquarters to Davidson, NC, USA.

“Executives at 3A Composites wanted to demonstrate the company’s materials in any number of capacities including office and lobby décor as well as showroom graphics,” said Dain Richie, partner/designer, ACI Design. “They wanted to show the scope and range and creative possibilities of these materials using dimensional fabrication and digitally printed graphics.”

ACI Design was familiar with 3A Composites’ product lines, often turning to the company’s rigid substrates to create trade show exhibits, displays, corporate environments, museum exhibits and large-format graphics for clients.

n its continuing commitment to clean water, GF Piping Systems (GF) supported recovery efforts in Texas in conjunction with Water Mission, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe water solutions to people in developing countries and disasters. Freezing temperatures during the record-breaking February cold storm that hit much of the South caused pipes to burst and left residents without clean drinking water. To make matters worse, COVID had already caused shortages in the supply chain, so there was a shortage of plumbing materials needed for repairs. Licensed plumbers in the Austin, TX, USA area were also in short supply: On the first day of the storm, Austin’s 27 plumbers received more than 1,000 emergency requests.

In response to this crisis, Water Mission swiftly implemented a plan to support rebuilding efforts by mobilizing skilled plumbers and setting up and stocking a “Plumber’s Store” in Austin with desperately needed supplies. These supplies would then be readily available for repairing water lines in homes and water stations.

APD distributor member Piedmont Plastics recognizes that plastics provide lightweight alternatives to glass, metal and wood across a variety of applications and industries, delivering solutions that are more viable while reducing environmental impact. Understanding the need for a more sustainable environment, Piedmont Plastics began offering customized recycling programs in 2014, which enabled them to continue the company’s long-term commitments to cost savings, sustainability and its customers.

The Knoxville, TN, USA branch office and warehouse facility is more than 36,000 square feet and employs 14 specialists to help customers in the marine, automotive, signage, medical, aerospace and more industries with their plastics needs. Along with its own scrap, this location accepts approved recyclable material and had been using a third-party recycle wholesaler for disposition. However, the continued challenge of keeping plastics out of landfills — exacerbated by global commerce changes such as the embargo on plastic scrap imports by China and Malaysia — sent branch manager Ryan Champy looking for alternatives.

The market is hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The automobile and construction industries have witnessed a decline. However, this pandemic has provided opportunities in the packaging and medical industry due to increasing health awareness and demand for protective shields, masks and PPE kits.