In his latest analysis, Dr. Perc Pineda reports that a sluggish housing market is putting pressure on plastics manufacturing. Continued weakness in housing starts and single-family home sales is dragging down demand for plastic-intensive construction materials such as siding, piping, insulation, and vinyl flooring.
🔹 Construction-linked plastics account for 8.7% of final products in the industry 🔹 Elevated mortgage rates remain a key barrier to housing growth 🔹 Consumer demand for housewares and appliances is also declining
With the Fed holding steady on rates and homebuilding activity still slow, Dr. Pineda points to ongoing challenges for plastics tied to residential construction.
Summer’s moving fast—but don’t let the National Plastics Conferencesneak past you.
The early bird discount ends this Friday, August 8, and it’s your best chance to lock in the lowest rate of the year.
✅ Save your seat ✅ Save some money ✅ Connect with leaders shaping the future of plastics
To register for National Plastics Conference, click here.
📊 Perc Report Snapshot
From housing and auto slowdowns to mixed signals in plastics production, the latest Perc Report highlights how current economic trends are shaping the industry:
🏠 Housing starts and new home sales are still falling
🚗 Auto production and sales declined for a third straight month
🏭 Plastic products manufacturing dipped again, while resin production rebounded
💵 Wages rose in plastics and rubber manufacturing, despite cooling demand
🏆Deadline Extended: Innovation in Bioplastics Award
The Innovation in Bioplastics Award honors achievements in sustainability. Submissions are judged by industry experts on innovation, environmental impact, and market potential.
Winners will be featured during Bioplastics Week (Oct. 20–26) and recognized at a future PLASTICS event.
🌍 PLASTICS at INC 5.2 This Week
This week, PLASTICS is in Geneva for INC 5.2—the next round of UN negotiations toward a global plastics pollution treaty.
After INC 5.1 concluded last fall without agreement, countries have spent the last eight months refining their positions. PLASTICS has remained engaged throughout—meeting with U.S. negotiators and members of Congress to support continued U.S. involvement in the process.
We’re attending INC 5.2 to:
Provide technical input
Share the U.S. industry perspective
Monitor developments on behalf of our members
We’ll share updates from Geneva as negotiations continue.
🙌 Welcome New Members
Based in Peabody, MA, Barnes Molding Solutions delivers high-performance hot runner systems, precision molds, and intelligent process control technologies. The company’s six global brands include Synventive®, Männer®, FOBOHA®, Thermoplay®, Gammaflux®, and Priamus®.
Serving industries from medical and packaging to automotive and consumer goods, Barnes Molding Solutions helps manufacturers boost efficiency, product quality, and sustainability. Each brand brings specialized expertise, while the combined force offers end-to-end injection molding innovation.
Based in Ontario, Canada, Aduro Clean Technologies is advancing chemical recycling beyond traditional pyrolysis through the development and commercialization of its patented Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT). This innovative, water-based process transforms low-value hydrocarbons with undesirable characteristics into high-value resources in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Aduro’s HCT process enhances the recyclability of plastics, improves the environmental performance of heavy crude oils, and increases the cost-effectiveness of renewable fuels. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, Aduro continues to expand its impact across the circular economy and clean tech sectors.
📋 August 12 | NPE2027: The Plastics Show | Exhibit space applications open. To be notified when applications go live, click here.
♻️ August 13 & 20 | Recycling Open House | Happening virtually, trade associations and organizations will share how they’re tackling recycling challenges in the plastics industry. Registration now open.
🌐 August 28 | OCS Storm-Ready Strategies | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET | Learn how to safeguard your plastic resin operations from hurricanes, floods, and other severe weather events. This free webinar, hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®, will cover emergency preparedness, risk mitigation, and continuity planning. Register now.
📅 Save the Date! September 16 | PLASTICS 2025 Size and Impact Report Executive Briefing - 2–3 pm ET | Live Virtual Event. Be the first to explore the 2025 Size and Impact Report—your go-to source for data on plastics’ economic footprint, state-by-state employment, industry rankings, and a two-year forecast.
📣 September 22–25 | National Plastics Conference | Orlando, FL | The
exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Early Bird Rates
available until August 8.
🌐 October 15–17 | OCS CON 2025 | Indianapolis, IN | Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®, OCS CON brings the full plastic value chain together in efforts towards eliminating the loss of plastic to the environment. Early Bird Registration now open.
♻️ Plastics Sustainability Executive Forum | November 3–4 | New York, NY|
Request an invitation to join senior sustainability professionals to explore real-world solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. This fall’s forum will focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Learn more.
🗓️ March 2–6, 2026 | NPE2027 Space Selection & Planning Event | Orlando, FL | NPE2027 exhibitors will convene to select exhibit booth space, plan for exhibit success, and explore opportunities to maximize the NPE2027 investment.
Plastics Industry Association
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+1.202.974.5200
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