Issue No. 16     |     June 10, 2025

This Week:

📰 Matt Seaholm's editorial in Real Clear Energy

📊 U.S. Economic Trends & Plastic Packaging Demand

🎤 Call for Speakers: 2025 National Plastics Conference

💼  FLiP Development Session – Free Virtual Training

🙌 Welcome New Member

📅 Mark Your Calendar

📰 Matt Seaholm's editorial in Real Clear Energy

This week, PLASTICS President & CEO Matt Seaholm published an editorial urging the U.S. Senate to pass tax reforms that support American manufacturing. The proposed provisions would help businesses reinvest, modernize operations, and plan for the future with greater confidence.

Why it matters:
The plastics industry is a major force in U.S. manufacturing—driving economic growth, supporting over a million jobs, and supplying nearly every other manufacturing sector in the U.S.

The House-passed package includes several measures PLASTICS has long advocated for. These incentives would help manufacturers across the country reinvest in their operations, upgrade equipment, and continue creating American jobs.

To read the full editorial click here.

📊 U.S. Economic Trends & Plastic Packaging Demand

PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda breaks down the latest GDP estimate and what it means for our industry.

🧃 Why it matters:

Even as GDP growth slowed, consumer spending on nondurable goods—like food and household items—rose 2.9% year-over-year, signaling steady demand for plastic packaging.

🔑 Key insight:
Food and beverage—a $1.2T market—grew 3.7% in Q1. That’s strong momentum for plastic bottle producers, especially in key categories like soft drinks, oils, and cleaning products.

📦 Takeaway:
Tracking personal consumption expenditures (PCE) helps plastics processors anticipate shifts in production needs and align with market growth.

👉 To read Dr. Pineda's full article click here. 

🎤 Call for Speakers: 2025 National Plastics Conference

PLASTICS is now accepting proposals for this year’s National Plastics Conference, taking place September 22–25 in Orlando, FL.

This year's content will focus on three dynamic tracks:

• Business Readiness
• Advocacy
• Trends

Featured topics include Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Trade and Tariffs, Recycling, Workforce Development, Geopolitical Trends, Artificial Intelligence, and more.

📆 Submit your proposal by June 15, click here.

Selected speakers will be notified by June 30.

💼  FLiP Development Session – Free Virtual Training

Don’t miss this free opportunity to grow your professionals skills! Join the next Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Development Session on Thursday, July 24, from 12:00–1:00 PM ET, featuring guest speaker Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and leadership expert.

This free virtual session, “The Unstoppable Mindset,” will help rising professionals succeed with:

• Goal-setting strategies and habit-building techniques

• Tools to stay positive and focused under pressure

• Methods for overcoming setbacks and staying motivated

• A system for accountability and growth

Open to all FLiP-eligible professionals (~age 40 and under).

👉 To register for the session, click here.

👉 To learn more about FLiP, click here.

Feel free to share this free opportunity with colleagues at your company!

 🙌 Welcome New Member

 Polymer Consulting Group 

Founded in 2020, Polymer Consulting Group has quickly emerged as a trusted leader in polymer science and engineering services. Headquartered in Ames, the firm brings together over 50 years of combined experience in polymer chemistry and chemical engineering, offering end-to-end solutions for clients across a range of industries — from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 corporations.

Specializing in custom synthesis, formulation development, and advanced materials testing, Polymer Consulting Group provides a unique blend of technical depth and hands-on innovation. With capabilities that span gram-scale R&D to 500-gallon pilot plant runs, the company supports its clients in solving complex material challenges and accelerating product development timelines.

👉Visit Website

📆 Mark Your Calendar

✍️The 2025 National Plastics Conference—September 22–25 in Orlando—is now accepting presentation proposals for sessions on Business Readiness, Advocacy, and Industry Trends, with topics like EPR, trade and tariffs, AI, and recycling. If your organization has a compelling case study, innovation, or insight to share, submit your proposal by June 15 to be considered. To submit a proposal, click here.

🎧 Government Affairs biweekly calls begin June 17 to share policy updates, align on advocacy strategy, gather member input, and more. These 1-hour calls are open to government relations leads at member companies. Click here to sign up.

🚀 Register now for our free FLiP Development Session on July 24, 12:00–1:00 PM ET, featuring Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL and leadership expert—who will share strategies to help rising professionals build an unstoppable mindset. Open to all FLiP members and employees age 40 and under at PLASTICS member companies. 

📋 NPE2027: The Plastics Show | Exhibit space applications open August 12. To be notified when applications go live click here. The NPE2027 Space Selection & Planning Event will be held in Orlando, FL, March 2–6, 2026.

♻️ Save the Date: Recycling Open House is happening virtually on August 13 and 20. Trade associations and organizations will share how they’re tackling recycling challenges in the plastics industry — registration opens at the end of June.

📣 Registration now open for the National Plastics Conference — the

exclusive event built by industry, for industry — returning to Orlando, FL, this

September 22–25, 2025.

🌐 OCS CON 2025 | October 15–17 | Indianapolis, IN. Registration open for OCS Blue and OCS Logistics members only. Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®, this event brings together the plastics value chain to advance efforts to eliminate plastic resin loss to the environment. Early bird registration opens to everyone June 13.