The U.S. economy expanded 2.2% in 2025, including 1.4% growth in the fourth quarter, according to advance estimates from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Despite higher tariffs and continued trade uncertainty, overall activity remained steady.
For plastics, the underlying signals are mixed.
Consumer spending continues to drive growth, particularly in services and nondurable goods. That supports demand in packaging and other short-lifecycle applications. However, durable goods spending softened again in 2025, raising questions about longer-lifecycle plastics demand.
Business investment remains positive, though momentum in industrial equipment has cooled. Meanwhile, machinery imports increased despite higher tariffs — suggesting trade flows persist, even as cost pressures may be building.
The policy environment is also shifting. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling limiting IEEPA tariff authority, the Administration imposed a temporary 10% import duty under Section 122 of the Trade Act, with exemptions for certain goods.
Bottom line: The economy is growing, but manufacturing signals and tariff effects remain uneven.
👉 Click here, to read the full analysis from PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda.
📣 FlexForum 2026 Agenda Is LIVE
The agenda is live — and it’s our most forward-looking program yet.
Why it matters:
FlexForum 2026 brings together brands, policy experts, economists, recyclers, and innovators to address what’s shaping flexible packaging next.
🌟 What’s on deck:
Brand sustainability strategies — from resin to retail
Policy developments impacting flexible packaging
2026 economic outlook shaping demand and material market
The state of U.S. recycling and what’s next for films
Polyolefins market trends (PE & PP)
AI-enabled equipment driving efficiency and safety
Trade and tariff pressures shaping supply chains
♻️ New in 2026
For the first time, FlexForum will feature sessions powered by the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) that explore EPR, consumer behavior, effective recycling messaging, advancements in film recyclability, and more.
Dr. Perc Pineda’s March Perc Report highlights the latest economic and plastics industry data shaping 2026.
Here’s what stands out:
Economic growth continued. The U.S. economy expanded 2.2% in 2025, with steady fourth quarter gains.
Investment stayed strong. Equipment spending rose 8.2% last year, totaling $262.5 billion in industrial equipment.
Plastics production improved. The Industrial Production Index rose for the third straight month, and capacity utilization increased in January.
Trade and demand signals remain mixed. Imports slowed in 2025, while plastics demand edged up month over month but remains slightly below last year.
There’s more beneath the surface, including motor vehicle production trends, pricing updates, and tariff impacts on recyclable plastics trade.
👉 Read this month'sPerc Report. 📬 Sign up to receive the Perc Report each month.
🌟 FLiP Spotlight on Jake Gordon
Jake Gordon didn’t start his career in plastics — but he quickly found opportunity in the industry’s push toward circularity.
Today, as Director of Client Services and Sustainable Business Development Manager at Geared for GREEN, Jake helps companies build practical, closed-loop solutions. His work focuses on recovering value from materials that are traditionally difficult to recycle — turning sustainability goals into measurable results through logistics coordination, data tracking, and recycled-content integration.
With a background in economics and financial markets, Jake was drawn to the business case for sustainability. He credits strong mentorship along the way for helping him understand the complexity of plastics and the power of collaboration across manufacturers, brands, and recyclers.
Jake sees real challenges ahead — from inconsistent recycling infrastructure to scaling end-markets for recycled content — but he remains optimistic. For him, progress happens when industry leaders work together to design smarter systems and create incentives that drive real impact.
Now serving as Vice Chair of FLiP’s Community Impact Task Group, Jake has quickly built connections and found purpose within the plastics community.
👉 Read Jake’s full story to learn more about his journey, industry outlook, and what inspires him inside and outside of work.
👉 To learn more about Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), click here.
🔦 FLiP Mentor Applications Now Open for 2026
The next generation of plastics leaders is looking for guidance and you can help shape their journey.
Applications are now open for the 2026 FLiP Mentorship Program. We are inviting experienced plastics professionals to serve as mentors and invest in the future of the industry.
The program connects established leaders with emerging professionals through one on one mentorship designed to strengthen careers and build lasting industry relationships.
Why serve as a mentor?
Share your experience and industry perspective
Support rising professionals as they navigate key career decisions
Expand your leadership impact and professional network
If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back and help develop the next generation of plastics leaders, this is your opportunity.
🎥 Sneak Peek: Sustainability Park at NPE
If you are heading to NPE or thinking about it, you will want to see this.
Patrick Krieger just shared a short video preview of what is coming to Sustainability Park at NPE: The Plastics Show, and it is shaping up to be something special.
Sustainability Park will be an immersive space highlighting real world solutions driving plastics circularity, with hands on features, creative installations, and engaging conversations around the industry’s biggest sustainability priorities.
Whether you are preparing for Space Selection or mapping out your NPE plans, this gives you a glimpse of how sustainability will come to life on the show floor.
🗓️ 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.
🗓️ 2026 FLiP Mentorship Program | Applications are due April 10, 2026. The program connects employees under 40 from PLASTICS member companies with experienced plastics industry professionals for meaningful, career-focused mentorship. Learn more.Apply here.
🏛️ 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.
🏛️ 2026 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summit | June 1–3 | Arlington, VA | Save the date for the Spring Food Packaging Summit, hosted by PLASTICS. This summit will bring industry leaders together at the Hilton National Landing. More information to follow.
📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum| July 14–15, 2026 | Toronto, CA | Summer Forum: Addressing a Growing Concern of Microplastics & Material Stewardship. To request your invitation to attend, click here.
