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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PLASTICS INDUSTRY IS MAJOR ECONOMIC FORCE, SPI STUDY DEMONSTRATES

WASHINGTON (June 5, 2000) – Plastics is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States, providing significantly to the nation's economy and far outpacing growth in other manufacturing sectors, according to a new study by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI).

The new SPI Plastics Industry Economic Report (SPIER) shows that the plastics industry provided 1,525,600 U.S. jobs in 1999 and contributed $303.6 billion in annual shipments. Plastics employment has grown at an annual rate of 2.7 percent since 1972, according to the report, compared to -0.1 percent for all manufacturing. International trade is responsible for 15 percent of plastics industry jobs in the United States. Since 1994, plastics industry employment has increased 4.4 percent per year; shipments have increased 6.2 percent annually.

"The data SPI has collected tells a powerful story about the industry's growth and its increasing influence both domestically and in the international business arena," said Lori Anderson, SPI director of economic and international affairs.

"This is the only plastics industry study of its kind, and it provides the most comprehensive and reliable data available on the plastics industry's size, shipments, productivity and global economic impact," Anderson added.

The report, which was conducted for SPI by Probe Economics, Millwood, N.Y., relies on thorough analysis of government and other industry data to determine the most accurate and defensible measurements of the U.S. plastics industry. The report focuses on four key areas: employment, shipments, productivity and international trade.

The study provides data from all 50 states. California and Ohio continue to lead the nation in plastics industry employment, accounting for 8.9 percent and 7.9 percent of the total, respectively, followed closely by Michigan, Illinois and Texas.

The report provides a wealth of information that can be used to draw broad conclusions about the overall plastics industry as well as help individual companies with business comparisons and decision-making.

The published report will be available this summer from SPI Literature Sales, (800) 541-0736. For the first time, the data also will be available in the near future in a searchable, on-line database developed by SPI and Plastics News, a weekly industry newspaper. Users may purchase one-time, weekly or annual access to the database, which will include additional features not incorporated in the printed report, such as county data. SPI members will receive a significant discount on both the printed report and access to the on-line database. Summary data and ordering information for the printed report is available on SPI's Web site at www.plasticsindustry.org.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's 1,700 members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw material suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.5 million workers and provides $304 billion in annual shipments.

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