Extrusion International 1-2026-USA

28 Extrusion International 1/2026 28 INDUSTRY NEWS ‚Positives of Plastic’ Website Announced The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) announced the launch of ‚Positives of Plastic’, a new digi- tal platform designed to serve as the go-to resource for information about plastic materials, the plastics indus- try, and the essential role plastics play in strengthening our economy and building a more innovative, safe, and sustainable future. “Plastic is the sustainable choice and makes our modern life possible, keep- ing us safe, protected, and healthy,” said Matt Seaholm, President & CEO of PLASTICS. “Clean drinking wa- ter, advanced medical devices, and energy-efficient vehicles are possible because of the innovations made throughout our industry. This plat- form provides industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the public with the tools they need to better understand our industry and the role we play in keeping plastic waste out of the envi- ronment and in our economy.” Positives of Plastic was created to meet the growing need for a central- ized, easy-to-use hub that equips visi- tors with reliable answers about plas- tic materials. The site features data, visuals, and downloadable graphics that make it easy to share the benefits of plastics. Key features of the site include: • Economic data underscoring the industry’s strength—supporting over one million U.S. jobs and contributing more than $550 billion annually to the economy • Poppy, a chatbot designed to pro- vide clear, accessible answers to fre- quently asked questions about plastic materials and their role in everyday life • Fact-based sustainability content demonstrating why plastic is often the most environmentally respon- sible and recyclable material choice • Real-world examples illustrating how plastics drive innovation and enhance safety in sectors like health- care, food packaging, transporta- tion, and infrastructure “We created Positives of Plastic for anyone who wants to understand the benefits of plastics with clarity and confidence,” added Seaholm. “This is about demonstrating the essential role of plastic in our lives – and the vital part our industry plays in advancing true circularity and sus- tainability.” www.positivesofplastic.org Vice President of Operations Appointed Processing Technologies Interna- tional announced the promotion of Ryan Leopold to Vice President of Operations. In this role, Ryan will assume responsibility for Manufac- turing, Engineering, Aftermarket, and Sales & Marketing. Jon Roberts, co-founder of PTi, has served as EVP of Operations for 38 years and will transition as a Board Member into a technical advisement and mentoring role. Ryan joined PTi in 2006 as a Me- chanical Project Engineer and pro- gressed through a series of engineer- ing and leadership roles, including Senior Project Engineer, Supervisor, Manager, and Director of Mechanical Engineering Design Protocol. He later transitioned into Manufacturing as Director and most recently served as Vice President. Throughout his tenure, Ryan has made significant contributions to PTi’s product and technology portfo- lio, including design work on numer- ous projects such as the original Mul- tiNIP® roll stand, TSE MultiRESN® and HVTSE® twin screw projects. He served in key leadership roles for the development of the GENESIS™ Program, creating standardized de- signs and co-authoring numerous patents. His recent accomplishments include streamlining manufacturing processes and overall quality mea- sures. Ryan’s close collaboration across internal departments, combined with his involvement in extrusion sys- tem projects from concept through implementation, has provided him with the depth of experience need- ed to succeed in this role. His un- derstanding of customer needs and expectations for PTi extrusion sys- tems and services positions him to improve execution, enhance the cus- tomer experience, and support PTi’s continued growth. Processing Technologies International, LLC (PTi) www.ptiextruders.com Ryan Leopold, VP of Operations