Washington D.C.— The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released the Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) report for the Fourth Quarter of 2025, authored by PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda. The report finds shipments of primary plastics machinery in North America rose for the third consecutive quarter, reaching an estimated $327.0 million, up 7.8% from the third quarter and 7.0% year-over-year.
“Gains in single-screw extrusion and injection molding shipments offset a decline in twin-screw extrusion, resulting in a net increase for the quarter. Single-screw extrusion and injection molding rose 15.5% and 8.7%, respectively, from the previous quarter, while twin-screw extrusion fell 8.2%. Year-over-year, single-screw extrusion increased 14.5% and injection molding rose 7.0%, while twin-screw extrusion shipments remained flat,” said PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD.
Despite tariff-related pressures on equipment suppliers, shipments rose alongside broader economic growth in 2025. “Market adjustments across the plastics industry supply chain in response to higher tariffs appear to have helped deter further deterioration during what has been a soft plastics manufacturing year,” added Dr. Pineda.
Survey results also reflected improving sentiment among equipment suppliers, with fewer respondents expecting market conditions to deteriorate in the near term.
Click here to read the report.
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.
