The Perc Report is released on the first business day of each month. It includes monthly highlights on the most recent economic and plastics industry data along with recent activities, articles, and blogs you may have missed.
Economic Data
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Survey of Business Uncertainty, business expectations for sales revenue growth one year ahead stood at 5.1% in December.
Manufacturers’ new orders for motor vehicles and parts edged down in November 2025 to $67.0 billion from $67.4 billion in October 2025 but remained well above the $64.4 billion recorded in November 2024.
The Home Price Index eased in the third quarter of 2025 (latest available data), rising 0.4% compared with a 1.5% increase in the second quarter.
The 30-year average fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.09% on January 22, 2026, down from 6.96% on January 23, 2025.
Headline inflation, based on the year-over-year change in the Consumer Price Index, was 2.7% in December, while core inflation—which excludes food and energy—was 2.6%.
Plastics Demand Estimate
Plastics demand in October was unchanged from September at $22.8 billion but was 0.4% lower than a year earlier.
To access the latest Plastics Demand Estimate, click here.
Plastics Industry Data
Inflation-adjusted value added in plastics and rubber products manufacturing—a measure of the industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy—rose from $68.1 billion in Q2 2025 to $70.1 billion in Q3 2025.
The Industrial Production Index for plastics product manufacturing increased by 1.0% in November and 0.5% in December. On a year-over-year basis, production ended 2025 up by a modest 0.1% in December.
U.S. exports of molds fell 2.7% year to date (through October 2025) by dollar value, while imports rose 4.8%. Exports to Mexico totaled $258.9 million, making it the top U.S. export market.
The unemployment rate in the plastics and rubber products manufacturing sector rose to 4.7% in December, up from 2.3% in November.
The U.S. trade surplus in plastic materials and resin increased 10.8% year to date (through October 2025) to 13,734.12 million kilograms compared with the same period last year.
Access the most up-to-date data on the plastics industry
Industrial production data through December last year show a growing divergence between durable and non-durable consumer goods. Durable goods output has softened and trended lower, reflecting continued weakness in big-ticket consumer spending. By contrast, non-durable goods production has held up better and has edged higher recently, supported by steady demand for everyday products. To access the latest data, click here.
