PLASTICS recognizes leaders in resin stewardship, bioplastics

The association honors five Operation Clean Sweep Difference Makers and recognizes ZealaFoam for its plant-based alternative to conventional EPS.

Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

Oct. 29, 2026

3 min read

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Key Highlights

PLASTICS recognized five OCS Difference Makers for advancing resin stewardship across the plastics supply chain.
OCS CON 2026 featured more than 30 speakers across 20 sessions focused on operational strategies, technologies and resin-loss prevention.
Zealafoam Holdings received PLASTICS’ 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award for plant-based foam designed to match key properties of conventional EPS.
ZealaFoam’s development highlights the value of designing new materials around established EPS equipment and processes.

Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

OCS CON 2026 featured more than 30 speakers in 20 sessions covering various topics related to resin management.

This fall, the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) recognized industry leaders advancing resin stewardship and material innovation through Operation Clean Sweep’s OCS CON 2026 and Bioplastics Week 2026.

At OCS CON in Houston Oct. 14-16, industry leaders shared practical strategies for preventing plastic resin loss and celebrated the 2026 OCS Difference Maker Award recipients. During Bioplastics Week, Sept. 28-Oct. 4, PLASTICS recognized a material innovation designed with manufacturing infrastructure in mind.

For machinery manufacturers and equipment suppliers, both initiatives highlight opportunities to improve operations, support responsible material handling or bring new products to market.

Recognizing the 2026 OCS Difference Makers

At OCS CON 2026, five Difference Maker Award recipients were recognized for their efforts to advance resin stewardship across the plastics supply chain.

SABIC was recognized in the OCS Blue category, TXGN Railway in the OCS Logistics category and Primex Plastics Corp. in the OCS Base Tier category. Ana Buss of Shell Polymers received the Individual-Corporate Award, while Shawn Moye of Primex Plastics Corporation received the Individual-Facility Award. These recipients are leading the way in responsible resin management, helping to advance the program's shared goal of zero resin loss.

The conference also featured more than 30 speakers across 20 sessions covering operational strategies, emerging technologies and practical approaches to preventing resin loss.

For machinery manufacturers and equipment suppliers, equipment design, material-handling systems and process improvements all play a role in helping facilities minimize resin loss, improve efficiency and strengthen operations.

Celebrating innovation in bioplastics

During the Bioplastics Week campaign, the association's Bioplastics Division named ZealaFoam Holdings Ltd. the recipient of the 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award.

A box made from blue and white ZealaFoam material. — ZealaFoam is a plant-based foam alternative to conventional expanded polystyrene (EPS).

The company was recognized for developing ZealaFoam, a 100-percent plant-based foam designed to deliver insulation, cushioning and mechanical performance comparable to conventional expanded polystyrene (EPS).

ZealaFoam was developed with existing EPS manufacturing infrastructure in mind, demonstrating how new materials can build on established equipment and processes. For manufacturers, this compatibility is critical to help reduce barriers to adoption and make innovation more practical to implement.

Developments like this highlight the role machinery manufacturers and suppliers play in bringing new materials from development to commercial production.

Turning progress into practice

From preventing resin loss to developing new materials, progress across the plastics industry depends on the people, equipment and technologies that turn ideas into results. That means helping customers operate more efficiently, reduce material loss and adapt to new technologies and market demands.

At PLASTICS, we're proud to recognize those leading these efforts and provide opportunities for industry professionals to protect, promote and grow our industry. We encourage machinery manufacturers and suppliers to explore our programs, resources and events and be part of what's next.

To learn more about PLASTICS' programs and membership opportunities, visit plasticsindustry.org/whyjoin.

OCS CON attendees visit Space Center Houston. — OCS CON attendees visited Space Center Houston.

About the Author

Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain. Learn more at plasticsindustry.org/about-plastics/