This seminar offers an overview of the theory and practice of mixing and compounding operations in plastics manufacturing. It is intended for individuals who have little or no background in compounding or for those who have been using twin-screw extruders and want to gain a thorough understanding of the interrelationships between the polymeric materials, the equipment and processing variables. Lectures discuss the types of extruders and their components, equipment specifications, instrumentation, and screw geometry. Additional types of compounders including batch mixers, multi-screw extruders, and roll-mills are also introduced. Effects of process variables on feeding, mixing, venting, and energy consumption in twin-screw extruders are explained. Troubleshooting techniques and operational strategies are covered, and hands-on demonstrations of typical equipment are shown.