In 2025, the U.S. plastics industry navigated pronounced cyclical volatility shaped by shifts in production, shipments, employment, trade, and pricing, all against the backdrop of higher tariffs.
Over the next several weeks, Inside PLASTICS will feature charts from Perc Pineda, PhD, Chief Economist, highlighting the key economic forces defining the industry, from production and employment trends to trade dynamics, pricing pressures, and capacity utilization.
📊 This Week’s Focus: Plastic Products Manufacturing
Plastics production in 2025 showed pronounced cyclical volatility, reflecting shifting demand conditions and tariff related uncertainty across the manufacturing sector.
After a brief increase early in the year, production moved into contraction through midyear as inventory drawdowns and weaker end market demand took hold. Partial rebounds proved short lived, underscoring how sensitive plastics production remains to both macroeconomic conditions and sector specific demand patterns.
Why it matters: Production volatility signals how quickly tariff pressures and demand shifts can ripple through plastics manufacturing and downstream markets.
🔬PLASTICS Members Get the SPE Rate for ANTEC® 2026
Join us at ANTEC® 2026 (March 9–12 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown) – the premier event where plastics professionals connect, innovate, and shape the future
As a benefit of the recent merger with SPE, PLASTICS members receive the SPE member rate – that’s a $200 savings – with discount code ANTEC26-PLASTICS.
The ANTEC® technical program is designed to give you a competitive advantage in plastics by covering topics like AI-enabled processing, advanced recycling, bioplastics, injection molding, polymer analysis, additive manufacturing, materials performance, and more.
Plastics innovation isn’t just theory — it’s happening now. At ANTEC® you’ll see proven technologies in action and learn how to position yourself for the fast-approaching future.
Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) has reached an exciting milestone—more than 300 members and growing.
2025 marked a year of strong momentum, with increased engagement across professional development, mentorship, and PLASTICS events. This milestone reflects the strength of the FLiP community and the impact it continues to make across the industry.
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.
See judging criteria, past winners, and full program details on the Awards Program page.
Discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones for success. Angela—an executive coach and leadership strategist with 20+ years of experience guiding brands like The Home Depot, Dyson, and Chewy—will share strategies to help you reframe failure, strengthen resilience, and lead with confidence.
👉 In this free session, you’ll learn how to:
Reframe failures as opportunities for growth
Build adaptable, actionable plans that enable effective pivots
Apply resilience principles to drive continuous improvement
Lead teams with confidence toward shared goals
This session is open to all FLiP-eligible professionals (generally those under or around age 40).
To learn more about Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), click here.
🙌 Welcome New Members
Headquartered in Maharashtra, India, Technoshell Automations is a global leader in designing and manufacturing high‑precision machinery for decoration, packaging, and tube production applications. With more than 35 years of engineering expertise and a presence
in 40+ countries, Technoshell’s comprehensive portfolio includes hot foil stamping, heat transfer printing, screen printing, shrink sleeving, offset printing, self‑adhesive labeling, and pad printing systems, along with a full suite of tube production machines such as cappers, labelers, and packers.
The company also develops complete packaging lines for liquids and balms; integrating filling, capping, labeling, and automation into turnkey solutions for manufacturers across industries. As a one‑stop partner for decoration and packaging automation, the company continues to push the boundaries of engineering excellence while maintaining a strong focus on affordability, service, and long‑term value.
🚀 FLiP Winter Development Session | January 22, 2026 | Virtual (12–1 PM ET) | Join the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) community for an inspiring keynote from Angela Raub, CEO and Executive Coach, on Failing Forward. Learn how to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities, strengthen resilience, and lead with confidence. Register today.
📍 PLASTICS New York Fly-In at the State Capitol | January 26–27, 2026 | Join PLASTICS in Albany for our New York Fly-In at the State Capitol. Participation is strongly encouraged. To learn more or confirm your interest, please RSVP to Danielle Fortunato.
📅 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.
