SPE Extrusion Optimization TopCon to spotlight advanced extrusion performance and process control

Montreal, QC — A new technical conference dedicated exclusively to the science and optimization of extrusion processing will debut this summer as the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Extrusion Division launches the SPE Extrusion Optimization TopCon, taking place June 16–18, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Montréal–Longueuil near downtown Montreal.

The event is positioned as a highly focused technical forum aimed at engineers, operators, researchers, and equipment specialists seeking deeper insight into extrusion system performance. Rather than broad manufacturing themes, the TopCon zeroes in on how extrusion systems operate, how they fail, and how they can be optimized for higher efficiency, stability, and output.

At the core of the conference is a practical and analytical look at the boundary conditions that define extrusion performance, including melt temperature, pressure, torque, residence time, and mass-transfer efficiency. Presentations will explore how these constraints interact across both single- and twin-screw extrusion systems, and how they can be managed through improved equipment design, process control, and system integration.

Sessions will examine mixing mechanisms, devolatilization performance, screw and barrel design strategies, die optimization, and upstream and downstream process coordination. Speakers will also address the growing role of real-time monitoring, data analytics, and advanced control architectures in pushing extrusion systems beyond traditional operating limits.

The conference program includes two full days of technical presentations followed by a half-day of in-depth tutorials. Topics range from screw configuration selection and mass-transfer modeling to equipment scaling, system troubleshooting, and performance benchmarking. A keynote presentation and expert-led panel discussion are expected to anchor the event, with a plant tour under consideration for the final day.

Event organizers emphasize that the TopCon is structured to encourage detailed technical exchange, with presentations designed for engineers and practitioners who work directly with extrusion systems and seek actionable insights rather than high-level overviews.

The conference is chaired by Karen Xiao of Macro Engineering, with Eldridge Mount of Emmount Technologies serving as Technical Chair. The organizing committee is working closely with industry contributors and sponsors to ensure the program reflects real-world challenges faced in modern extrusion operations.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available, providing companies with a platform to engage directly with a technically focused audience invested in extrusion performance and innovation.

With extrusion remaining a critical and energy-intensive process across multiple manufacturing sectors, organizers see the SPE Extrusion Optimization TopCon as a much-needed venue for advancing technical understanding and operational excellence. By concentrating on the mechanics, limits, and optimization of extrusion itself, the conference aims to become a recurring destination for professionals committed to improving how extrusion systems perform.