Melissa Kurtz, Managing Engineer at The Madison Group
As of 2019, Global plastics production totaled 368 million metric tons. Over the years plastics have enabled numerous
industries. In the automotive industry, plastics play a critical role in safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. Plastic
packaging helps to protect and preserve goods, while reducing weight in transportation. The use of single-use plastics in
hospitals effectively prevent a considerable number of healthcare-acquired infections every year. But with all their popularity
come concerns surrounding end of life. As the desire for sustainable products grow, so does confusion on what
sustainability means as well as how to successfully introduce these sustainable materials into products.
In this webinar we will:
• Define the language surrounding sustainability and plastics
• Take a look at a variety of approaches to sustainability
• Discuss the challenges with incorporating recyclate into a successful product
Melissa Kurtz is a Managing Engineer at The Madison Group. Melissa holds an M.S. degree in Material Science and
Engineering from Wayne State University. She has over 20 years of experience serving the global product development
community across several industries including transportation, medical, and consumer products. She is an expert in material
selection, test method development, and failure analysis. Melissa is passionate about sustainability, especially within the
plastics industry, and is eager to educate others on possible solutions and their challenge.
