Issue No.  18  |   May 5,  2026

This Week:

Plastics Industry Association Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda has released a new analysis on how recent U.S. trade policy changes are impacting global plastics trade—framed through a conversation with international trade expert Shujiro Urata.

The analysis highlights a shifting U.S.–Japan trade relationship amid higher tariffs, evolving supply chains, and growing economic uncertainty. New data show U.S. plastics trade declined in 2025 while import duties increased, pointing to a more complex and costly trade environment.

As Dr. Pineda explains, a smaller trade deficit may seem positive, but it reflects reduced trade activity and higher costs—not stronger competitiveness.

The conversation also explores how exchange rates, investment trends, industrial policy, and consumer demand are reshaping global trade and supply chain decisions.

👉Read Dr. Pineda's full conversation with Prof. Urata.

Meet Sarah Webber, a Technical Sales Engineer at Plastic Ingenuity, where she supports the company’s healthcare division by combining engineering expertise with customer-facing sales.

She joined the company in January 2023 as a Sustainable Packaging Engineer and has since transitioned into a role that blends technical problem-solving with relationship management. Sarah works closely with customers to understand packaging needs, review designs, and guide material selection and manufacturing decisions—helping deliver custom thermoformed solutions for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

A graduate of University of Wisconsin–Stout, Sarah brings a strong foundation in materials, manufacturing processes, and packaging design. Her path into the plastics industry began through internships in healthcare packaging, eventually leading her to Plastic Ingenuity, where mentorship played a key role in her professional growth.

Sarah’s career reflects the evolving opportunities within the plastics industry—where technical expertise and customer insight come together to support critical applications in healthcare.

To read Sarah's full FLiP File story,  click here.

To watch video, click here.

👉To learn more about Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP), click here.

The Plastics Industry Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) will host its 2026 Annual Meeting virtually on May 12–13.  

This year’s program will focus on market insights, reporting practices, and the future direction of the CES program.

What to expect

• Economic updates and a market outlook for plastics machinery
• Updates on active CES projects and reporting definitions
• Discussion on expanding program categories and participation

Why CES matters
CES tracks monthly and quarterly new orders and shipments across key plastics machinery sectors—including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and auxiliary equipment—providing a reliable pulse on industry activity.

Hear from participants

👉 This is a closed meeting only for CES participating companies.  Register here.  Have questions? Email Madeline Kramer.

Join SPE for a three-part workshop, Design for Recycling: How Producers Design Packaging for Recyclers, May 12–14, 2026 | 3:30–5:00 PM ET | Online.

Why it matters
This 3-part SPE workshop focuses on closing the gap between packaging design intent and real-world recyclability.

What you’ll learn

• How recyclers evaluate packaging in real sorting conditions

• What design choices impact contamination and recovery rates

• How to improve communication between producers and recyclers

• How upstream decisions affect profitability and system efficiency

 Who should attend
Recyclers, packaging designers, and producers working to improve recoverability and reduce waste in the system.

👉 Register here. Use code  DRW-PLASTICS  for the member rate,

Recent state-level activity is shaping policy conversations that could impact plastics manufacturing, materials use, and recycling efforts. 

👉 To view the latest updates, click here.

📆 Mark Your Calendar

📅 Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) Annual Meeting | May 12–13, 2026 | Virtual | This year’s program will feature economic updates, active CES initiatives, a review of reporting definitions and best practices, and discussions on expanding program categories and participation. Register here.  Have questions? Email Madeline Kramer.

💻SPE Workshop: Design for Recycling - How Producers Design for Recyclers 

| May 12 - 14,  from 3:30 –5:00 p.m. ET | Online This 3-part Society of Plastics Engineers workshop explores the gap between design intent and real-world recyclability.  Learn more and register. Use code  DRW-PLASTICS  for the member rate,

💻 Join Operation Clean Sweep on May 13 from 10–11 a.m. ET for a live webinar on the 2025 Global Impact Report. The free event will share the robust industry-led efforts to prevent plastic resin loss in 2025. Click here to register.

🏛️ 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. Learn more. To register, click here. 

📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum | July 14–15, 2026 | Toronto, Canada | Summer Forum: Addressing a Growing Concern of Microplastics & Material Stewardship. To request your invitation to attend, click here. 

📅 National Plastics Conference | Sept. 14–17, 2026 | Houston, TX | 

The exclusive event built by industry, for industry returns. Register now for Super Early Bird Pricing.

📅 OCS CON 2026 | Oct. 14–16, 2026 | Houston, TX | 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. 

📅 Plastic Sustainability Executive Forum | Nov. 11–12, 2026 | Atlanta, GA | Fall Forum: Backing the Vision: Investment, Infrastructure, and the Economics of Advanced Recycling. To request your invitation to attend, click here. 

📅 Vinyl Week 2026 | Dec. 8–11, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | This one-of-a-kind gathering brings together the Vinyl Compounders Conference and the Vinyl Sustainability Summit for four days of leadership, networking, and forward-looking insights.

🏆 Make It a Team Win!

Know someone on your team who should see this?

Feel free to forward this email to your coworkers!  Since your company is a member of the Plastics Industry Association, everyone on your team can create their own account and access member benefits.