---
title: The Perc Report | Plastics Key to Economic Revival
---

Enjoy the Latest News and Analysis from Our Chief Economist, Perc Pineda Ph.D.

| View in browser       Why Invest in Equipment? Economic Growth, Cheap Money, Low Taxes Whether or not the full expensing for investments in machinery and equipment will continue is uncertain. But for now, there are incentives for capital investment in plastics machinery and equipment before tax laws change. Read more here.       Plastics Industry Annual Business Outlook Each year, PLASTICS releases its Plastics Industry Annual Business Outlook, the only business sentiment report for the entire supply chain, providing economic guideposts to professionals like you. Participate in this brief survey informing the report, and receive a free copy, as well as a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Your responses are confidential.  Complete the Survey       U.S. Plastics Industry Key to International Trade Now And in the Future The U.S. plastics industry generated an $8.6 billion trade surplus last year. Trade with our 20 Free Trade Agreement partners totaled $15.6 billion, and there’s still plenty of opportunity for billions of dollars more growth in foreign markets. Read more here.             Plastics Machinery Shipments Drop in Q1 after Three Quarters of Growth While shipments of primary plastics machinery dropped 11.1 percent from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of 2021, the drop is typical for a first quarter. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, shipments were up 31.9 percent. Read more here.             Strong PET Demand Will Find Its Supply Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most common plastic for bottles, jars, food containers and packaging and the most recycled plastic in the U.S. Despite its fundamental strengths, however, COVID-19 introduced unforeseen volatility to consumer behavior across the economy.  Read more here.       Tecnología del Plástico, El Empaque + Conversion and Reportero Industrial, in collaboration with NPE: The Plastics Show, will host the Spanish-language Seminario Online en Español June 29 – 30. Join Perc Pineda for “The Future of Plastics After Covid-19” with a focus on Latin America.  Registrarse Sin Costo       Plastics Industry Association, 1425 K Street NW Suite #500, Washington, DC 20005, United States, 202.974.5200 Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
| --- |