Washington, D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, today released a new economic analysis examining how consumer demand drives plastics manufacturing output in the United States. The analysis finds that retail sales serve as a leading indicator for plastics shipments, reinforcing the critical role consumer spending plays in shaping demand across the plastics supply chain.
Dr. Pineda writes, “In the 2023–2025 period, plastics shipments remained stable—showing no significant drag from inventory overhang. The strongest driver remains retail sales growth, which pulls plastics shipments along. Rising retail inventory relative to sales acts as a moderating or delaying factor, often slowing shipments until the overhang clears. In recent years, balanced inventories relative to sales help explain the steady pace of plastics shipments despite solid retail growth.”
Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.
About the Plastics Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
