Index Reaches All-Time High … Again
Index hits record mark for second straight month, with quickening expansion in new orders, backlogs and production.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Processing Expansion Cools in November
Industry growth slows after quickening expansion over the prior four months.
Plastics Processing Index Hits Two-Year High
Five of six business components show expanding October activity as index hits 55.6.
Top Packaging Innovation Award Goes to Henkel in Collaboration with Plastic Bank
The strong focus on sustainability and the circular economy evident in Dow’s 2020 Packaging Innovation Awards
Processing Market Expands for Third Straight Month
New orders, production and employment sustain continuous industry expansion. With a reading of 52.9 in September, the index climbed each month in the third quarter.
Elix Polymers and Repsol Forge Circular Economy Styrenic Partnership
Styrenics compounder Elix Polymers and oil & gas company Repsol agree to incorporate chemically-recycled styrene into the production of ABS/SAN, in compliance with the ISCC PLUS certification.
2020 Size & Impact Report: Growth in the Plastics Industry
The 2020 Size & Impact Report indicates that the U.S. plastics industry not only remains one of the economy’s largest sectors, but also that it continued to grow in 2019. According to the report, the U.S. plastics industry accounted for an estimated $432 billion in shipments and 1,003,000 jobs last year.
Processors Record All-Time High Activity Levels
Survey data reveals quickening expansion among both captive and custom operations.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Graham Recycling Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary
The plant is extremely important to Graham’s mission to create a circular economy.
Plastics Processors Report Quickening Expansion
Expansion among both captive and custom processors is driven by expanding orders, production, and employment.
Plastics Processing Expands in July
With an Index reading of 52.3, processors report first monthly expansion since the coronavirus disruption.
U.S. Plastics Pact Focuses on Creating a Circular Economy for Plastics
A key target is taking actions to effectively recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging by 2025.
Molds for Plastics Monthly Trade Monitor
This monthly trade statistics report—developed by Perc Pineda, PhD, Plastics Industry Association’s Chief Economist—includes monthly and year-over-year analysis of U.S. plastics mold trade. In this report, exports and imports of plastics molds are broken down by HTS number and by country, providing deeper insights on export market growth and import trends by product and country of origin.
GPS Online October 21–23: Pandemic Forces Changes in an Already Volatile Market
COVID-19’s adverse impact on a broad range of industries has dominated recent discussions of plastics. Against the backdrop of fragile economic conditions, ongoing trade tensions, and a lower merchandise trade forecast, what can the U.S. plastics industry expect in 2020 and beyond? Register for GPS Online to discover how you can turn these challenges into opportunities.
Processors Extend 2020 Expansion into New Year
Survey data report quickening expansion in plastics, notably in custom processing.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Index Climbs Higher Toward ‘Neutral’ Mark
New orders and production hint at a bottom in the initial disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Nova Chemicals Talks Recycled Plastics, Sustainability Strategy
In this Q&A, Monika Kleczek, circular economy market development manager, Nova Chemicals Polyethylene Business, talks about the company’s efforts to expand a market for recycled plastics.
Pandemic’s Impact on U.S. Plastics Appears Weaker Than Originally Forecast
A second quarter economic report from the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) reveals the possibility of a less severe coronavirus slowdown in the plastics industry than previously expected.
Contraction Slows for Processors
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, Gardner Business Index signals decelerating contraction as all components report improved readings.
Plastics Processing Business Continued Contracting in April
Global economic shutdown causes downturn in new orders and production.
Additives: Additive and White Masterbatch Portfolio for BOPE Films
Ampacet’s Biox4ce additive masterbatches for biaxially-oriented polyethylene (BOPE) film applications support the circular economy.
Processors End 2020 on a High Note
December’s Plastics Processing Index clocked in near 55, in line with the best readings since early 2019.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Processing Index Contracts as Coronavirus Disrupts Economy
COVID-19 results in weaker new orders, production dips and a disrupted supply chain in March. But for how long?
Waste Solutions Provider Brightmark Announces New Growth Plan
Over the past two years, Brightmark has more than tripled the size of its staff, garnered $150 million in equity investments in its projects, and acquired proprietary technology that aims to create a circular economy for post-use plastics.
Expanding Production Bumps Index Above 50
Index expands for first time since June 2019.
3D Printing Helps Close the Loop for Armor’s Circular Economy
Manufacturing 3D printing filament was first a way for Armor to recycle its own reclaimed plastic waste. But now, this business unit is helping to close the loop on sustainability for plastic 3D printed products.
COVID-19, the Fed Funds Rate and the U.S. Plastics Industry
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.
Index Inching Close to 50
January reading of 48.6 sends early signals of business-cycle phase change.
