Extrusion Process Tracker & Forecaster
| Latest Month |
Previous Month |
Year Ago |
YTD % Change |
Annual % Change |
| 2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| 163.3 |
160.3 |
163.0 |
-4.5 |
1.4 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
Film Business Index
Return to Extrusion Business Index
The Film Business Index (1990=100) is the largest component of the Extrusion Business Index. More resin is processed into film than any other plastic product. This index is an excellent indicator of packaging demand in the U.S.
 The Film Business Index held steady in the latest month when compared with the same month last year. This followed a steady reading in the previous month.
This Index is an early indicator of activity in the total plastics markets. The graph will hit a cyclical low-point in the first half of 2008, and it will increase later in the second half of the year as the U.S. economy recovers and resins prices moderate.
When compared with the previous year, this Index decreased 2% in the second quarter of 2008 after a decline of 8% in the first quarter.
This Index is driven by growth in consumer spending for non-durable goods. Market growth for these goods will decelerate but will remain positive in the coming months.
In 2008, our Film Business Index is forecast to register growth of 1% when compared with the year before. It expanded by 3% in 2007.
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