🌎 Global Trade Is Shifting. What It Means for Plastics.
🧼 Operation Clean Sweep® in Action
📅 Mark Your Calendar
👉 Welcome New Member
✈️ Fly-In Success - 100+ Capitol Hill Meetings
Last week, PLASTICS and the American Chemistry Council hosted the Plastics Industry Fly-In — connecting plastics leaders with lawmakers to discuss critical issues like manufacturing, trade, workforce, recycling infrastructure, and R&D tax credits.
🔍 Why it mattered: With over 100 meetings and 153 participants, the Fly-In strengthened ties between local plastics employers and policymakers, spotlighting how smart legislation can drive U.S. manufacturing, enhance recycling, and support over 1M jobs.
📣 What they said:
“The plastics industry is a cornerstone of American manufacturing, and our Legislative Fly-In gives attendees a unique opportunity to share how we’re driving innovation, strengthening U.S. manufacturing, advancing sustainability, and supporting over one million American jobs,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President & CEO. “It’s vital that lawmakers understand the real impact of plastics and the importance of a policy environment that supports economic growth.”
“America’s Plastic Makers are leading the way in creating innovative solutions that support a more resilient U.S. economy,” said Ross Eisenberg, Vice President of American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division. “These visits with policymakers give our members the opportunity to highlight how smart policies can help grow American manufacturing, enhance recycling and circularity, and ensure the continued development of essential materials that support millions of U.S. jobs and everyday life.”
🙌 Big thanks to everyone who joined us!
For the latest news and updates, visit the PLASTICS News.
📈 Global Trade Shifts: What It Means for Plastics
In an exclusive Q&A, former WTO Chief Economist Dr. Robert Koopman breaks down the evolving trade landscape—and its impact on U.S. plastics.
Why it matters: The U.S. plastics industry hit a $1.3B trade surplus in 2024. But shifting trade policies, rising tariffs, and global uncertainty are reshaping how our industry competes and thrives.
Top takeaways:
Trade policy is moving from multilateral to bilateral
Tariffs won’t solve the U.S. trade deficit
Innovation and investment—not protectionism—are key to long-term growth
Plastics relies on global supply chains to stay competitive
🔍What’s next: Get Koopman’s full perspective on how U..S. policy, global economics, and political shifts could shape your future.
At PLASTICS—in partnership with the American Chemistry Council (ACC)—we’re proud to lead Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS), a global initiative to eliminate plastic pellet, flake, and powder loss across the supply chain.
🌎 Why it matters: Preventing resin loss protects the environment, improves plant safety, reduces cleanup costs, and strengthens regulatory compliance.
🌍 You’re not alone: Over 5,000 companies worldwide have joined OCS—proving that working toward zero resin loss is good for the environment and for business.
🔧 Real impact: Companies like Primex Corporation are showing what it looks like to go all-in. From custom containment tools and storm drain filters to QR-code spill reporting, their OCS implementation is a model of what’s possible.
💬 “Primex is leading by example to keep plastic out of the environment and in the circular economy.” — Charlotte Dreizen, PLASTICS
✅ FLEXFORUM 2025 | April 22–24, 2025 | Orlando, FL. The definitive event where industry professionals gather to reshape the world of polyethylene films, flexible plastics, and single-use packaging.Learn More.
📅 Registration is openfor the 2025 Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) Annual Meeting!Must be a CES Member to participate. Questions? ContactMadeline Kramer.
🍬 June 2-4 | Join Usfor the 2025 FDCPMC Spring Food Packaging Summitin Alexandria, VA to connect with industry leaders and stay ahead on key food packaging regulations.
📅 Save the Date - National Plastics Conference — the exclusive event built by industry, for industry — is back, September 22–25, 2025, in Orlando, FL.
🌐 Save the Date - OCS CON 2025, taking place October 15–17, in Indianapolis, IN, is hosted by Operation Clean Sweep®. This event brings together the entire plastics value chain to advance efforts to eliminate plastic loss to the environment.Learn More.
Welcome New PLASTICS Member
Headquartered in Colonia Hidalgo, Mexico, GG Group has over 45 years of experience in blow molding machines and are specialists in the reconstruction and modernization of Bekum and Uniloy machines.
In light of the increasing costs of new machinery, the establishment and growth of new companies within the blow molding industry have become increasingly challenging. GG Group believes that the solution lies in the rebuilding and modernization of existing machines, which can be acquired at just 35% of the cost of new equipment. In addition, their team provides expert advice and comprehensive training to ensure optimal utilization of these machines.
