U.S. college to film plastics documentary at NPE

The NPE2009 trade show in Chicago will be the subject of a documentary by a two-man team from a U.S. college, designed to spotlight careers in the plastics industry. 

The Pennsylvania College of Technology and WVIA public television have been collaborating on a series, called “Degrees that work”, that focus on building awareness of various careers.

According to U.S. news reports, the team started the plastics documentary in Hatfield, Pa., where it toured the plant of K’nex Industries Inc., which makes construction toys. The finished film will demonstrate how K’nex uses injection molding to make a piece for one of its sets.

For NPE2009, the crew has interviewed Bill Carteaux, president and CEO of the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., and will be attending the show.

Tom Speicher, video production developer, said the NPE segment would document the size and scope of the plastics industry, as well as featuring people speaking about the job market and the reality of careers in plastics.

The production team expects the plastics and polymers documentary to be completed in the fall.

With the assistance of WVIA, documentaries featuring nanotechnology, welding and fabrication, and advanced manufacturing have already aired. The documentaries have received both TV and communication awards.

Each 28-minute documentary airs on public television, appears online and is available as a DVD or video. For information on obtaining the video, visit www.degreesthatwork.com.