As a leader in the plastics industry, Dr. Sally Beken’s story serves as an inspiration to other women looking to break into the field and rise to leadership positions. Her dedication to sustainability and her commitment to mentoring and promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry make her a valuable asset to any plastics company.

Passion for Plastic

Starting with a degree in Chemistry and later a Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering,  Dr. Beken began her career in research and development for Dunlop, eventually moving on to working for the Malaysian government on elastomer formulations.  From there, she quickly rose through the ranks to become a leader in the industry, known for her innovative approach to sustainability and her ability to drive change within her organization.

Breaking the Mold

Throughout her career, Dr. Beken has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the plastics industry, particularly for women working in what was traditionally a male-dominated industry.  She became a mentor to many young professionals and established herself as a role model for women looking to make a name for themselves in this field.

Recognition of Achievements

Dr. Beken’s leadership status has not been something that has been handed to her. Throughout her career, she has set new benchmarks that future generations will see as stepping stones to new development in polymers and beyond. She has authored a book on rubber blends and holds numerous patents in medical devices, including millions on metered-dose asthma inhalers based on the elastomer formulation she developed to reduce aerosols and pollution through greenhouse gases.

Plastics with a Purpose

Dr. Beken’s expertise in sustainability is what sets her apart from her peers. She is known for her ability to drive change within her organization, and for her commitment to finding new and innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of the plastics industry.

As an Innovation Lead at Innovate UK, she helped create the Sustainable Smart Plastic Packaging Challenge, a £60m fund created to greatly reduce persistent plastic waste in the environment.In addition, Dr. Beken will be speaking on her studies on plastic sustainability throughout her 15-year career at the Plastics Live exhibition and conference taking place in the UK and Ireland on July 5th & 6th in Coventry.

She is always looking for new opportunities to improve plastic production for the environment, whether through product development or new ways to recycle and repurpose plastics.

Committed to a Brighter Future

In summary, Dr. Sally Beken is a key opinion leader and sustainability expert in the plastics industry. She is known for her innovative approach to sustainability, her ability to drive change within her organization, her commitment to mentoring and promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry, and her dedication to the industry. Her story inspires other women looking to break into the field and rise to leadership positions, making her a valuable asset to any plastics company.

For more information on leaders shaping the plastic industry’s future, click here.