EPDA’s Next-Gen Network
EPDA’s Next-Gen Network is designed to provide young professionals with an invaluable opportunity to learn more about the plastics industry and what is needed to develop themselves professionally within it. It aims to be an accelerator community, bringing together tomorrow’s industry leaders and equipping them to drive our industry forward.
We all face similar issues – unpredictable operating environments, an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, reputational challenges, rapidly evolving technologies, climate change, skills shortages and an ageing workforce, to name but a few. To meet these challenges and ensure the resilience of the plastics industry, our Next-Gen programme aims to foster cross-industry collaboration and harness young talent to build a leadership community for the future. The Next-Gen Network provides supportive relationships for our members, allowing them to learn and develop in a relaxed environment.
Top reasons to become a Next-Gen member
- Mentoring sessions: take advantage of mentoring opportunities from industry experts
- Pan-European Network: build a pan-European network of expertise to draw upon
- Develop your knowledge: access to educational resources
- Discounted rates: gain access to EPDA events at a discounted rate
- Create your events: the opportunity to create your own events.
- Build your reputation: leverage the trust that being an EPDA member brings
- Accelerate your market: be part of an actively growing European market
- Work on your future: influence the future of the plastics industry
Next-Gen Parallel Programme during our annual conferences
During our annual conferences, we hosted a special Next-Gen Parallel Programme for our Next-Gen members. The main goal is to bring them together for discussion and share experiences, followed by two mentoring sessions to learn from professionals in our industry. Before the conference, the Next-Gen members are invited to go on a plant tour.
Distributors Forum – a learning and networking opportunity
Once a year, we host a Distributors Forum. This is a Distributors-Only event and was initially created for the next-generation members. However, along the way, interest also proved strong among other members. A distributor forum is hosted by one or more manufacturers. It allows you to learn about their materials and their manufacturing process. You will also be treated to various networking activities.
Three manufacturers hosted our Distributors’ Forum in 2023: Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Paneltim, and Exolon Group. We were delighted to offer our distributor members three plant tours, several expert sessions, and two network dinners! For 2024, two manufacturers are hosting it: Fluorseals and Madreperla.
Education
Why plastic is the sustainable choice
In the plastic sheet industry, we try to defend our interests by claiming in our marketing literature how excellent our particular plastic products are, compared to other plastics or materials. In contrast, the real issues everyone should be interested in are the correct disposal, reuse, recycling and handling of single-use plastic packaging waste and the schemes we should all have in place to deal with end-of-life recycling for those plastic products that go on to be used for many years.
We need to ensure that our employees, especially those talking to their customers, are fully aware of all the international agreements our governments have signed up to. More knowledge of the broader issues will give more credibility to the sustainable message plastics has to offer.
Introduction to Plastics
Introduction to Plastics examines plastic materials’ basic behaviours and properties and their varied uses. It also includes ASTM and ISO standards, a directory of trade names, a comprehensive glossary, and detailed property tables for easy reference.
This training manual, published by the IAPD, can be ordered here. EPDA members are entitled to a 5% discount on the regular price.