A new type of multi-exhibitor pavilion to debut at next year's NPE2009 international plastics exposition will present the latest developments in four emerging technologies that are already helping to determine the future, not just of the plastics industry but of the world's economy and environment. 
 
The Emerging Technologies Pavilion will consist of exhibits and informational stations by companies, government agencies, and research consortia active in four sectors: sustainability, bioplastics, nanotechnology, and energy-—the last including conservation and alternate sources. The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI), founder and producer of the triennial NPE event, is accepting applications from companies and organizations seeking to participate in the pavilion.
 
The DuPont Co. has agreed to be the corporate sponsor of the pavilion and has also indicated that it will present exhibits or displays in all four sectors, reflecting the company's across-the-board activity in these technologies. These will be in addition to DuPont's already planned booth, which will be directly adjacent to the pavilion in the new West Hall of Chicago's McCormick Place. 
 
Three federal agencies and a research consortium will anchor each sector and provide informational stations:
 
Sustainability: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bioplastics: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Office of Technology Transfer
Energy: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Nanotechnology: Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials and Devices
 
The Emerging Technologies Pavilion will occupy 10,400 sq ft in Booth 117011 in McCormick West. Turnkey kiosks and exhibit space are available for purchase by companies or organizations whose applications have been approved by SPI's Science & Technology Div. and the NPE2009 Technology Committee. Information is available by emailing [email protected].
 
The four technologies that will be the focus of the Emerging Technologies Pavilion will play a prominent role throughout NPE2009, including regular exhibits elsewhere in the show, special programs like the International Plastics Design Competition, and co-located conferences including SPI's "Business of Plastics" and ANTEC 2009, sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).
 
"The Emerging Technologies Pavilion will represent in concentrated form many developments that will be on display or in discussion throughout NPE2009 and about which many plastics professionals feel a pressing need to know," said Gene Sanders, SPI vice president of trade shows. "NPE2009 will be remembered for introductions of new bioplastic and nanocomposite materials, new ways for plastics to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and innovative approaches to the many issues summed up by the concept of sustainability."   
 
"As a science-based company, DuPont is focused on developing and delivering leading edge technologies across a wide range of sectors," said Hal Snyder, director of technology and strategic planning, DuPont Performance Materials. "We feel that the Emerging Technologies Pavilion at NPE2009 will enable broader collaboration and accelerate progress in sustainable solutions, bioplastics, alternative energy, and nanotechnology-—all of which are the focus of DuPont investment. We are very interested in working with others who see the importance of new technologies for renewably sourced polymers, sustainable packaging, and biofuels."
 
The NPE2009 international plastics exposition will take place June 22-26, 2009 at Chicago's McCormick Place. A total of 2000 companies will exhibit on 1 million sq ft, more than a third of them coming directly from outside the U.S. About 75,000 plastics professionals from 120 countries are expected to register. The event is produced by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI). Co-located with NPE2009 will be the Society of Plastics Engineers' ANTEC 2009, the world's largest plastics technical conference, and the MoldMaking Expo 2009 show and conference. Visit www.npe.org for more information.