Shaping the Future of Plastics Through Innovation, Color, and Scholarships with the PlastChicks

Guests: Lynzie Nebel & Mercedes Landazeri, Co-Hosts of PlastChicks

Host: Lisa Ryan

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan sits down with Mercedes Landazuri and Lynzie Nebel, the vibrant duo behind the podcast “PlastChicks: The Voices of Resin.” These trailblazing women have been championing the plastics and manufacturing industry for over six years, using their platform to broadcast innovation, emerging trends, and workforce development while actively supporting the next generation through educational programs and scholarships.

Whether you're interested in the future of plastics, STEM career journeys, or seeking strategies for nurturing talent within the manufacturing industry, this episode delivers valuable insights, inspiration, and a great sense of humor.

Key Themes & Lessons Learned

1. Non-Linear STEM Pathways

• Both Lynzie and Mercedes came to plastics and manufacturing from unexpected backgrounds—Lynzie from music and Mercedes from academia and languages—highlighting that a passion for STEM can develop later and through diverse experiences.
• Lesson Learned: There's no single or 'correct' path into manufacturing or STEM industries. Openness to new opportunities and leveraging transferable skills can lead to fulfilling careers.

2. The Power of Serendipity and Curiosity

• Lynzie’s pivotal exposure to a tabletop injection molder in high school and Mercedes’ plunge into plastics through a recruiter demonstrate how chance encounters and curiosity can spark lifelong passions and careers.
• Lesson Learned: Encourage curiosity and seize unexpected opportunities—they can lead to transformative career shifts.

3. Innovation and Trends in Plastics

• The industry is rapidly evolving from traditional commodities to the integration of bio-based and sustainable materials.
• Innovations in color technology, such as the development of brighter red pearlescent pigments for cars, showcase the intersection of science, design, and manufacturing.

4. Sustainability as a Talent Magnet

• Today's workforce is purpose-driven; sustainability initiatives, such as reducing pellet loss and educational efforts on recycling, are essential for attracting and retaining new talent in the plastics manufacturing industry.
• Lesson Learned: For manufacturers, backing up sustainability claims with real actions—not just lip service—is vital to engage and retain Gen Z and Millennial workers who value impact over income.

5. Empowering the Next Generation

• Through the “PlastChicks” scholarship program, Lynzie and Mercedes prioritize commitment and passion over GPA, offering support to students regardless of major, as demonstrated by awarding a scholarship to a computer science student who championed plastics via software innovation.
• Lesson Learned: Broadening the definition of “ideal candidate” for scholarships and hiring opens doors to underrepresented yet highly motivated individuals.

6. Industry Engagement and Breaking Barriers

• Transparency, authenticity, and breaking down hierarchies between industry veterans and emerging professionals foster stronger engagement and a more robust future for the plastics manufacturing industry.
• Lesson Learned: Leaders can retain talent by being approachable, honest about both opportunities and challenges, and by actively mentoring newcomers.

Fun Facts & Memorable Moments

• Name Creation: The show “PlastChicks” was nearly called “Good Morning Amorphous Material”—but Mercedes’s knack for creative language resulted in their now-iconic brand.
• Shared Musical Roots: Both Lynzie and Mercedes are musicians, which they believe helps them both as natural mimics and communicators; a handy trait in STEM and transdisciplinary fields.
• Favorite Episodes: Interviews with the Kender siblings, all plastics engineers at the same time, stand out; so does their glittery, Taylor Swift-themed presentation at the “Women Breaking the Mold” conference (so successful it got its own Plastics News article).
• Unusual Filming Location: Not all interviews are conducted in glamorous settings—one memorable episode with Wendy Honey, a Plastics Hall of Fame inductee, was filmed in a dimly lit conference room reminiscent of an interrogation scene.
• Expanding Education: The PlastChicks’ upcoming “Plastics 101” educational video series aims to bridge the knowledge gap for those new to the plastics industry, especially those coming from non-plastics backgrounds.

Connect with PlastChicks

You can listen to PlastChicks on all major podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. For additional content, check out the SPE YouTube channel or connect with Lynzie and Mercedes directly via LinkedIn or on Instagram (@plastchicks).

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