Higher borrowing costs triggered a three-year slowdown in plastics manufacturing as production pulled back and companies relied on elevated inventories. With recent rate cuts and clearer tariff expectations, data now shows early improvement: production has risen for two straight months, capacity utilization is recovering from January’s five-year low, and producer prices remain steady thanks to lower energy and resin costs.
Trade dynamics remain mixed. The U.S. posted a $23.7B resin trade surplus this year, yet deficits persist in plastics machinery, molds, and finished products—driven in part by growing import shares from key Asian markets. Tariff changes have raised equipment and input costs, but processors benefit from immediate expensing of eligible assets, helping offset those pressures.
Taken together, stable demand, easing borrowing costs, and gradual policy clarity suggest a cautiously expansionary outlook for plastics manufacturing heading into 2026—though the path forward still hinges on broader economic conditions.
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 nominationhere.
For judging criteria, past winners, and full program details, click here.
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.
🏛️ 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 California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Mexico.
📍 California
EPR CalRecycle has formally submitted its proposed SB 54 regulations for final review, setting the stage for a key approval decision in early 2026.
DTSC Microplastics California regulators are moving closer to adding microplastics to the Candidate Chemical List, a step that could significantly expand product oversight and reporting requirements.
📍 Colorado
Colorado has approved the final Producer Responsibility Program Plan, clearing the way for statewide recycling program implementation beginning in 2026.
📍 Massachusetts
The EPR Commission has finalized its recommendations to the Legislature, signaling where the Commonwealth may (and may not) move forward on EPR for packaging and consumer goods.
📍 New Mexico
New Mexico regulators are advancing PFAS rulemaking that could introduce broad new labeling requirements beyond the original statute, raising concerns across the supply chain.
👉 Read the full December 12, 2025, state policy update here.
🙌 Welcome New Members
Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Jwell Intelligent Technology is a global leader in plastic extrusion technology and chemical fiber spinning equipment. Founded in 1997, Jwell exports to more than 120 countries and regions and has grown into one of China’s largest manufacturers in the plastics machinery industry.
Jwell’s comprehensive product portfolio includes extrusion lines for pipes, profiles, sheets, films, and nonwoven fabrics, as well as blow molding machines, plastic recycling systems, and precision components such as screws, barrels, and molds. These solutions serve diverse industries, including packaging, construction, automotive, medical protection, renewable energy, and advanced composites.
Headquartered in Tongling, Anhui, Nextool Technology is a leading provider of intelligent manufacturing equipment and system solutions for the plastic extrusion molding and semiconductor packaging industries. Established in 2005, Nextool combines advanced R&D capabilities with precision engineering to deliver
customized solutions that meet the needs of global manufacturers.
Nextool’s product portfolio includes plastic extrusion molding dies, extrusion devices, downstream equipment, and fully automated semiconductor packaging systems, serving clients in more than 40 countries worldwide.
🚀 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 toDanielle 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 investment. Learn more.
🏛️ 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.
