Good morning! The recent National Plastics Conference examined economic uncertainty, demand, supply chains and investment decisions facing plastics manufacturers. Technology sessions highlighted advanced materials, smarter manufacturing, automation and recycling infrastructure as drivers of future plastics production. Read the story below.

We also have stories about using high-performance braided sleeving to protect hydraulics and wiring, a new grinder from Matsui and a Stratsys printer built for industrial production.

Auto industry executives said they don't expect EV production to improve significantly until 2028, according to a story from Industry Week, a sister publication to PMM.

Ron Shinn, editor emeritus