A new report released today by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) explains why plastics continue to be the leading material in the design, manufacturing, packaging, and selling of the goods consumers use and need every day. Watching: Consumer Goods is available for PLASTICS members and non-members to download here.
The report details the various types of resin available and their end-uses. It also provides an overview of the numerous areas where plastic is used such as clothing, sporting goods, transportation, appliances, consumer electronics, packaging, health care plus others.
“With engineered materials being developed and manufacturing technologies changing, designers will ask if plastics can be used in their products and applications. More often than not, plastics typically perform better and are the best economical alternative,” said PLASTICS president and CEO Tony Radoszewski, CAE. “The plastics value chain recognizes their customers need a wide range of polymers for consumer products. Plastic companies are making their material the leading choice for consumer goods and packaging through innovation, collaboration, performance, sustainability, and competitive price points.”
According to the report, while online sales are growing, the retail sector is actually broader and more interconnected than ever before with e-commerce retailers opening storefronts, groceries embracing online and delivery services, and brick-and-mortar businesses offering online sales and expanding their offerings. This includes expanding to health care services, classes and demonstrations, and accepting returns from online platforms. Plastics are a part of the sales platform in the store, a product’s packaging, and the shipping and delivery of the consumer good.
In addition to the growth of e-commerce platforms, consumer goods manufacturers and retailers are embracing the sustainability and recyclability of products and packaging. A product’s lifecycle has become more important for consumers and manufacturers as environmentally-friendly designs that were once limited to narrow product areas. A wide range of manufacturers, like clothing companies, have embraced recycled plastics for their products, and plastic’s packaging performance in terms of carbon footprint outperforms other materials such as paper, aluminum and steel.
PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD noted the use of plastics is ubiquitous throughout consumer goods and services compared to other materials. “Plastics’ contribution to overall GDP exceeds those of other industries. The real value added of plastic and rubber products in 2018 is estimated at $75.0 billion – higher than that of paper, glass and aluminum industries,” he added.
About Plastics Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), formerly SPI, is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, representing nearly one million workers in the $451 billion U.S. industry. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members and the industry more globally competitive while advancing recycling and sustainability. To learn more about PLASTICS’ education initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, networking opportunities and policy advocacy, and North America’s largest plastics trade show, NPE: The Plastics Show, visit plasticsindustry.org. Connect with PLASTICS on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.