Washington, D.C. — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a new economic analysis examining the August 2025 U.S. jobs report and its implications for the manufacturing sector, with particular focus on plastics and rubber products manufacturing. Written by PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda, the analysis highlights both areas of concern and signals of resilience in labor market data.
“Although total manufacturing employment declined by 12,000 in August, the manufacturing unemployment rate ticked down to 3.8% from 4.2% in July,” writes Dr. Pineda. “Despite this monthly improvement, however, the rate has been trending upward since January. As of July 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 437,000 job openings in manufacturing—a continued positive sign for the sector.”
Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.
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 $519 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.
