The largest international plastics exposition in 2006, NPE will occupy nearly 1 million square feet at Chicago's McCormick Place. About 2,000 exhibitors, one-third of them from outside the U.S., and visitors from 100 countries will comprise this year's show. Packaging will be clearly evident. Some of the packaging-related new equipment, materials, software and services include:

Primary processing systems, such as high-speed injection-molding presses for thin-wall containers; extrusion lines for blown film, cast film, sheet and coating; thermoforming systems for lids, cups, trays and foam items; and blow molders for virtually every type of bottle manufactured.

Web-converting systems and materials, such as corona treaters, metallizers, web-gauging instruments, slitter-rewinders and coating dies, plus resins for extrusion coating and laminating.

Complete package production systems, including form/fill/seal, bagmaking, bottle-manufacturing and other integrated lines, plus related systems like flexo printers, and automation components like feeders and takeaway equipment.

Raw materials, including a vast range of application-specific formulations designed for lightweighting and source reduction, gas barriers, wide heat-sealing windows, long shelf life, product protection in shipping and handling, and other benefits for package producers and users.

Additives, such as colorants that produce new, special decorative effects to enhance consumer appeal.

Tooling, including such specialties as injection molds for polyethylene terephthalate bottle preforms, threaded closures and CD jewel boxes; blow molds; dies for film, sheet, coating and laminating; and dies for trimming and stamping.

Printing and decorating systems of all types, for applications ranging from sequential product marking to full-color, high-resolution graphics.

Recycling products and services, including equipment ranging from shredders and granulators to complete systems that include size reduction, cleaning and reprocessing; custom compounding services for reclaimed plastics; and reprocessed compounds for sale on the merchant market.

Preceding the show will be a symposium on degradable plastics, June 14 to 17.

In the New Technology Pavilion, exhibitors will showcase materials, equipment, machinery and other products that will have a tremendous effect on plastics manufacturing in the next decade. Here, attendees can:

• Find out how nanotechnology can expand the performance range of plastics in packaging applications.
• Discover how to expand options for biodegradability by using bioplastics.
• Evaluate the energy-efficiency innovations that promise large reductions in energy consumption.
• See how to make recycling a top priority while adding value to process scrap and post-consumer waste.

The NPE 2006 show also features a complete lineup of educational seminars and conferences. For a listing of all sessions, visit www.npe.org/education.

The show is organized by the Society of the Plastics Industry (www.plasticsindustry.org). For more information, phone 800/SPI-0015 or e-mail npe@npe.org. Domestic registration is $60 until June 15; $90 on-site. International registration is free until June 15; $90 on-site. Student registration is free with a student ID.

The following exhibitors have a marketing message in this issue:

AISA Automation Industrielle—9229: Page 55.

Cognex Corp.—4065: Page 26.

Corotec Corp.—10104: Page 12.

DAK Americas—4276: Page 49.

Enercon Industries Corp.—1344:

Page 12.

Eriez Magnetics—1396, 11205: Page 28.

Pilz Automation Safety—10131:

Page 51.

SAS Automation—976: Page 46.