Issue No. 22    |     July 22, 2025

This Week:

📈  What the U.S.–U.K. Trade Deal Means for Plastics

🏛️  Interested in Government Affairs Strategy?

♻️  Recycling Open House Virtual Event

🙌  Welcome New Member

📅  Mark Your Calendar

📈 What the U.S.–U.K. Trade Deal Means for Plastics

The U.S. plastics industry has held a trade surplus with the U.K. for nearly three decades—and new data shows that surplus is growing.

In his latest analysis, Dr. Perc Pineda, PLASTICS Chief Economist, breaks down the trends behind the $451.9 million surplus recorded in 2024 and what’s driving it—especially in resin and plastic products.

🚛 What’s happening:

• U.S. exports of plastics to the U.K. are up 4.2%

• Imports of plastic molds and products are down sharply

• A new trade agreement could unlock $5 Billion in future exports

🔍 Why it matters:
The U.S.–U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal expands market access, stabilizes trade, and opens the door to tariff adjustments—helping keep U.S. plastics competitive while reshoring remains a long game.

To read Dr. Pineda's blog, click here.

🏛️ Interested in Government Affairs Strategy?

♻️ Recycling Open House: A Cross-Industry Conversation

Recyclability isn’t just a packaging or product issue—it’s a systems challenge. Solving it requires collaboration across the entire plastics value chain.

At the 2025 Recycling Open House, program leads from leading trade associations and organizations will tackle big questions like:

🔍 How can we design products for circularity?
📈 Where should we start to improve recycling rates?
🤝 What does meaningful collaboration actually look like?

If you work in packaging, product development, or sustainability, this webinar is for you.

📅 Dates: August 13 & 20
⏰ Time: 12:00–1:30 PM ET
🖥️ Format: Virtual
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend

To register, click here

 🙌 Welcome New Member

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, CRU is a Canadian company that helps manufacturers and industrial facilities stay running smoothly with high-quality compressed air and gas solutions. For over 25 years, CRU has supported operations across North America with systems like rotary screw compressors, nitrogen generators, air dryers, and PET blow-molding equipment—offering both oil-lubricated and oil-free options tailored to each customer’s needs.

The company focuses on full-service support, from system design and installation to energy audits and preventative maintenance. CRU’s expert technicians and engineers work closely with clients to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and extend the life of their equipment. Whether it’s a food processor, a pharmaceutical plant, or a bottling line, CRU helps ensure reliable air and gas delivery where it’s needed most.

Visit website

📆 Mark Your Calendar

📢 July 30 | NPE2027 Exhibit Space Application Webinar - 1-2 pm ET | From key rule changes and deadlines to selecting your booth at the in-person Space Selection & Planning event, join us for an NPE webinar to explore the first steps for exhibiting at NPE2027.  To register, click here.  Can’t attend live? Register to receive the recording.

📋 August 12 | NPE2027: The Plastics Show | Exhibit space applications open. To be notified when applications go live, click here. 

♻️ August 13 & 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.

📅 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. 

🗓️ 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.