The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) released its first-ever Impact Report, highlighting industry-led progress to scale flexible film recycling across the U.S.
One highlight: Since launching in January 2025, the Plastic Film Recycling Directory has surpassed 170,000 users and connects consumers to 20,000+ drop-off locations nationwide. The report also outlines policy progress in California and advancements toward a robust verification framework.
👉 Learn more about FFRA or explore membership, click here.
📊 Dr. Pineda’s 2025 Review in Charts
This week marks the final installment in our 2025 Review in Charts series. Throughout January, these charts have remained among the most-read content in Inside PLASTICS, reflecting strong member interest in the economic forces shaping the industry.
To close out the series, we look at capacity utilization and plastics machinery imports, offering insight into how producers adjusted operations and investment decisions in response to demand, pricing, and tariff pressures.
📊 This Week’s Focus: Capacity and Investment
Capacity Utilization in Plastics and Resin Manufacturing Capacity utilization in plastics product manufacturing declined throughout 2025, reflecting a slowdown in conversion activity. In contrast, utilization in plastics material and resin manufacturing remained higher and trended upward later in the year, even as resin prices eased amid elevated inventories.
Plastics Machinery Imports Imports of plastics machinery increased in value in 2025, though trends varied sharply by equipment type. Higher tariffs contributed to price-driven increases, while import volumes reflected uneven investment patterns as processors responded to cyclical demand shifts and cost pressures.
Why it matters: Together, capacity utilization and machinery imports highlight how the industry balanced near-term demand softness with longer-term operational and investment decisions under continued tariff and cost uncertainty.
📊 Strong GDP—But Construction Remains the Soft Spot
In his latest economic analysis, Perc Pineda, PhD, points to continued strength in the U.S. economy, with the latest revision of third-quarter GDP showing output expanding at a 4.4% annualized rate. While growth is expected to slow in Q4, momentum remains solid. Still, one area continues to lag behind broader economic performance: building and construction.
One key consideration for plastics in 2026: Plastics demand follows construction activity—not home sales. Because plastics are used upstream in products like pipes, fittings, siding, insulation, and profiles, indicators such as construction-related manufacturing activity and housing starts provide a clearer signal than traditional housing market metrics. Data show a strong correlation between construction supplies manufacturing and plastics production, reinforcing where manufacturers should focus their attention.
Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook for plastics tied to construction will hinge on borrowing costs, labor conditions, and investment in structures. The full analysis explores what to watch—and why it matters for plastics manufacturers navigating the year ahead.
Why it matters: These awards spotlight companies designing smarter materials, reducing environmental impact, and rethinking end-of-life solutions across the plastics value chain.
What we’re looking for: Achievements in:
Materials innovation
Sustainable design
Responsible end-of-life solutions
Social impact — new for 2026!
All submissions are reviewed by a panel of industry experts.
Deadline:Feb. 27, 2026 Apply: Submit your nomination here.
For judging criteria, past winners, and full program details, click here.
🏛️PLASTICS Engages NY Lawmakers on EPR
What happened: PLASTICS members and staff were in Albany Jan. 27–28 for our annual fly-in, meeting with nearly 30 New York legislators at the State Capitol to discuss Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) proposals.
Why it matters: Members shared real-world industry insights, including concerns around SB1464, helping lawmakers better understand how EPR policy impacts manufacturers, consumers, and supply chains. Well-crafted EPR can advance environmental goals while avoiding unintended economic consequences.
👉 To learn more about PLASTICS’ advocacy, visit the member portal.
🏛️State Policy Snapshot
From packaging and recycling to producer responsibility, state legislatures across the country are advancing key bills that could shape the future of plastics policy. Here's a quick look at recent activity in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
đź“Ť Massachusetts
The final report to the Legislature by the EPR Commission was due this month
and was released on January 15th. The report…
đź“Ť New Jersey
Governor Mikie Sherill has officially been sworn into office, and the Legislature has begun its new session. Bills relevant to industry...
đź“Ť New York
This week, PLASTICS held its annual fly-in at the New York Capitol. Attendees met with approximately 30 legislative offices to discuss the current EPR proposals...
📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum | February 10–11, 2026 | Washington, DC | Winter Forum: Scaling Advanced Recycling through Policy. To request your invitation to attend, click here.
🗓️ NPE2027 Space Selection & Planning Event | March 2–6, 2026 |Orlando, FL | NPE2027 exhibitors will convene to select exhibit booth space, plan for exhibit success, and explore opportunities to maximize the NPE2027
🔬 ANTEC® 2026 | March 9–12 | Pittsburgh, PA |Join leaders in plastics technology, polymer research, and advanced processing to address real-world industry challenges. Register today.PLASTICS members save $200 on registration—use discount code ANTEC26-PLASTICS.
🏛️ PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In | April 13–15, 2026 |Washington, DC | Join us for the annual PLASTICS Spring Meeting and Industry Fly-In. We'll come together to share our policy and advocacy initiatives while bringing the industry to Capitol Hill, to personally advocate on behalf of your company. Learn more.To register, click here.
⛳ FlexForum | May 4–6, 2026 |Fort Myers, FL | FlexForum is the event for anyone in the flexible film and packaging space. Covering business trends, regulatory issues, and more with the incredible networking opportunities, FlexForum is a can't miss in 2026! Learn more. To register, click here.
