🌍 INC-5.2 Ends Without Final Plastics Treaty Agreement
📈 Q2 Equipment Shipments See Modest Growth
📊 July Jobs Report: What It Means for Plastics
🌍 Navigating the Evolving ESG Landscape
🙌 Welcome New Member
📅 Mark Your Calendar
🌍 INC-5.2 Ends Without Final Plastics Treaty Agreement
PLASTICS’ Patrick Krieger was on the ground as INC-5.2 negotiations came to a close—without a final treaty in hand.
Despite extended negotiations, revised texts, and late-night sessions, nations could not reach consensus on a legally binding agreement. Disagreements remain over key elements like scope, structure, and the pace of progress.
Still, there’s hope: industry engagement was strong, and a path to continue negotiations is open.
For details on what happened, what’s ahead, and why it matters, read Patrick Krieger’s full update from Geneva, click here.
📈 Q2 Equipment Shipments See Modest Growth
The latest PLASTICS Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) report shows that equipment shipments grew 3.5% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. After several quarters of decline, shipments picked up in Q2, suggesting the industry is adapting to ongoing trade and tariff challenges.
However, high tariffs remain a hurdle. They make it more expensive to bring in production inputs and equipment no longer made in the U.S., which can affect manufacturers’ ability to stay competitive.
The July 2025 jobs report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offers important signals for plastics manufacturing. U.S. unemployment held steady at 4.2%, while plastics and rubber products manufacturing came in slightly higher at 4.3%, down from previous months. Nationwide job growth slowed to 73,000 private nonfarm jobs in July, with the plastics sector adding just 300 jobs after losing 2,700 earlier this year.
Meanwhile, labor productivity rose 2.4% in Q2, with businesses producing more without proportionally increasing hours worked. This combination of efficiency gains and slower hiring points to a cooling job market and the impact of limited capital investment.
To read Dr. Perc Pineda's full analysis, click here.
🌍 Navigating the Evolving ESG Landscape
Join ISS-Corporate, the corporate advisory arm of ISS STOXX, for a practical, expert-led webinar tailored for professionals across the plastics value chain. This session breaks down what you need to know—and what you need to do next.
You’ll learn:
📊 How to benchmark your ESG performance using exclusive data from across chemicals, industrial machinery, packaging, and brand sectors
📘 A step-by-step carbon accounting playbook to improve GHG emissions measurement and management
🇪🇺 The latest on EU sustainability regulations, including CSRD and the EU Omnibus package
✅ Tips for simplifying your ESG disclosures and driving continuous improvement
Perfect for sustainability teams, operational leaders, and anyone helping their organization lead responsibly.
To register for this free webinar, on September 10, at 1:00 PM, click here.
🙌 Welcome New Members
Based in Miami, FL, Geared For GREEN is a nationwide leader in recycling and circular economy initiatives, and helps companies redefine waste as a strategic resource. Founded in 1985, the organization has pioneered sustainability solutions across sectors including retail, hospitality, education, and government.
Geared for GREEN empowers businesses to maximize economic, environmental, and social value by offering a comprehensive sustainability toolkit with more than 250 tailored products and services. From zero‑waste retail programs to certified raw materials and sustainable uniforms, their solutions are engineered for impact.
♻️ August 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.
📊 Sustainability Reporting & Decarbonization Planning for the Plastics Industry | August 21, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Exclusive Member Webinar Join experts from Sphera to explore Scope 3 reporting, emissions data challenges, and strategies to streamline sustainability efforts. To register, click here.
🌐 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.
📅 Navigating the Evolving ESG Landscape for the Plastics Industry September 10, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET | Complimentary Webinar Join ISS-Corporate for expert insights on ESG benchmarking, carbon accounting, and the latest reporting requirements impacting the plastics industry. To register, click here.
📅 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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