International publication features retired polymer professor
Monday, February 23, 2026
Professor Emeritus Kirk M. Cantor is the cover story in the latest issue of Plastics Review, a weekly trade e-magazine published by TechnoBiz, a Thailand-based international resource center for various industries and technologies.
Throughout the 16-page story – presented in a question-and-answer format – the retired professor of polymer engineering shares insights on plastics education, extrusion technology and workforce development initiatives. He references his long teaching career at Penn College and the demand for its graduates to help close the workforce gap in U.S. plastics manufacturing.
Kirk M. Cantor
Cantor taught polymer engineering at Penn College for 35 years, retiring in 2025.
During his tenure, Cantor played a vital role in expanding the polymers program to include a bachelor’s degree, developed new courses and served as co-principal investigator on National Science Foundation grants.
Cantor also became an internationally recognized expert on blown film extrusion. He published numerous books, chapters in textbooks and articles, and conducted trainings and seminars through Penn College Workforce Development and other entities.