Sorting fact from fiction in 'plastic

Aug 06, 2023

Editorial staffers at Plastics News pride ourselves on industry knowledge and going beyond what's written in a news release. Not that we don't read and use these releases put out by companies, government agencies, industry lobbyists and nonprofit groups, but we always try to get more information, such as an interview, background, context or — at a minimum — checking our own archives and websites to confirm the basics.

When we received a news release on Aug. 1 that "Mattel" was removing all plastic from its products by 2030, we were skeptical of the claim. Editor Don Loepp's immediate reaction: "Can this be real?"

Spoiler alert: It was not.

Mattel Inc., obviously, uses plastic for Barbies, GI Joes and thousands of other toys. Even if the company switched to a bio-based feedstock, it would still be a plastic. (And no one is producing bioplastics at a rate that would supply a toy giant's manufacturing needs.)

But we started checking while also preparing for a story if it was true. First clue that there were issues was that the emailed news release was nowhere on Mattel's website, corporate.mattel.com. (The hoax site linked in the email was mattel.corporate.com.)

When PN's Bridget Janis did get an interview, she noted something didn't seem right.

It was all an elaborate hoax. Activists calling themselves the Barbie Liberation Organization created a news release and websites that closely mimicked the official ones.

A few news outlets — most notably the website for People magazine — did print stories based on the release, but by midafternoon the same day, the hoax was falling apart.

Hoffer Plastics Corp. has moved to its third generation of leadership with a trio of CEOs.

William Hoffer is now chairman of the South Elgin, Ill.-based injection molder of closures. His children — Gretchen Hoffer Farb, Charlotte Hoffer Canning and Alex Hoffer — have been named co-CEOs. They had been leading the company since 2020.

Referred to as "G3" within the company, Alex Hoffer has served as chief revenue officer, Farb as chief financial officer and Canning as chief marketing and communications officer.

Hoffer Plastics won PN's Processor of the Year Award in 2012 and received the Sustained Excellence Award from Plastics News earlier this year.

A big electric vehicle battery plant planned for Big Rapids, Mich. — close to Ferris State University and its plastics education programs — is moving forward, despite pushback from some area residents.

Gotion Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of China-based battery maker Gotion High-Tech Co. Ltd., announced Aug. 1 that it has purchased 270 acres near Big Rapids to house its $2.36 billion plant.

All but about 10 acres is zoned for industrial use, Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc., told our sister paper Crain's Grand Rapids Business. The site is expected to employ more than 2,300 people.

FSU officials have said they expect the plant will fit well with its specialties in plastics engineering and injection mold design. Others, however, cited the company's China-based owners in questioning the investment, but local and state leaders have supported the project.

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please verify captcha.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

View the discussion thread.