Startup firms to get more exhibiting space at NPE2015

The “Startup Garage” at the upcoming NPE2015 trade show is being expanded due to stronger-than-anticipated interest.

The Garage is a program co-developed by show producer SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association, and designed to provide startup firms with prominently located exhibit stations at the show.

The plan originally called for a limited number of startups to be selected by show management and new-venture tracking firm Startup.Directory, but with twelve startups selected and additional demand from the marketplace, SPI says it will expand the Startup Garage space and accept more applications.

The companies selected to date will highlight innovations in bioplastics, recycling, 3D printing, polymerization, resin processing, and antimicrobial polymers. Three of the startups report developments in the burgeoning field of graphenes – two-dimensional carbon-atom nanostructures that can be used for formulating plastics composites with dramatically enhanced properties.

“The response to our call for applicants has been met with an enthusiastic response by new companies doing exciting things at the forefront of polymer technology,” said Brad Williams, SPI’s director of trade show sales and marketing. “While some of these startups propose new ways to address pressing issues involving renewable resources and waste reduction, others offer enhancements of plastics manufacture and product performance. The quality of the exhibitors so far has led us to extend the call for more.”

More information on the NPE2015 Startup Garage is available at www.npe.org/startup-garage-npe2015, or by contacting Gerard Eldering of Startup.Directory at Gerard@innovatetech.com.

NPE2015 will take place between March 23-27, 2015 in Orlando, Fla.