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Industry News
Plastics 2019 Exports and Imports Down but Surplus Up
March 25, 2020 Judging from the 2019 trade data released in February, the U.S. plastics industry exports and imports fell 3.0% and 5.0%, respectively, from 2018. From the total $64.8 billion exports in 2018, exports fell to $62.9 billion last year. Imports decreased from $64.3 billion to $61.3 billion over the same period. -
Industry News
COVID-19, the Fed funds rate, and the U.S. Plastics Industry
March 17, 2020 "Is the economy experiencing a financial meltdown necessitating drastic action from the Fed? The answer is a resounding no – the U.S. is not in a financial crisis. However, central banks around the world reacted proactively to ensure that liquidity in the financial markets is not compromised as economic activity slows due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)." -
Industry News
We Have A Waste Problem. We Need Solutions, Not Sensationalism
February 28, 2020 There are a number of things to object to when it comes to Sergio Peçanha’s recent Washington Post column about plastics: the sensationalist, misleading headline; the suggestion that, because the U.S. is the 20th biggest culprit when it comes to the mismanagement of plastic waste, it constitutes a major player in this arena, when close to 90% of mismanaged plastic waste comes from the top five countries; and on and on and on. -
Industry News
Coronavirus and The U.S. Plastics Industry Supply Chain
February 11, 2020 While we cannot confirm today that the coronavirus has already impacted the U.S. plastics industry supply chain, it is reasonable to expect that if the coronavirus crisis in China continues and escalates, it will negatively impact the U.S. plastics industry. For business continuity reasons, U.S. plastics companies need to look at their current supply chain involving China and—as a precautionary measure—examine alternative supply sources. -
Industry News
PERCspective: Counting Down to 2020
December 17, 2019 Trade friction between the U.S. and China, Brexit and the debate over the USMCA all collaborated to make 2019 a year of uncertainty. But fear not; it is most likely that this triad of issues will be resolved in 2020. -
Industry News
Softer Inflation and What It Means for Plastics
April 5, 2019 The first two months of 2019 showed softer U.S. inflation. By and large, the monthly dips and rises in plastics price indices vary by materials and products, and only swing within a narrow band, suggesting the underlying trend of prices in the U.S. remains stable, and supportive of a growing economy. -
Industry News
In Memoriam of Our President & CEO Bill Carteaux
December 12, 2018 On December 10, 2018 we lost an incredible leader, colleague and friend. Our President & CEO Bill Carteaux passed away due to complications from acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the disease he had been fighting with determination and courage. -
Industry News
In Case You Missed It: Bioplastics Week 2018
October 15, 2018 PLASTICS’ Bioplastics Division held its fourth annual Bioplastics Week, a social media driven campaign dedicated to increase the visibility and understanding of bioplastics, September 17 – 21, 2018. -
Industry News
PERCspective: A Trio of Leading Indicators Point to Strong Plastics Demand Ahead
June 26, 2018 The three leading indicators released last week - two from the U.S. Census Bureau and one from the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) - point to sustained economic activity ahead. For starters, monthly sales for retail and food services in May increased 0.8 percent from April, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Year over year, retail sales rose 5.9 percent.