Plastics Processing Index Hits Two-Year High
Five of six business components show expanding October activity as index hits 55.6.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
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
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.
Graham Recycling Company Celebrates 30th Anniversary
The plant is extremely important to Graham’s mission to create a circular economy.
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.
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.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
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.
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.
Plastics Processors Report Quickening Expansion
Expansion among both captive and custom processors is driven by expanding orders, production, and employment.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
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.
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.
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.
Plastics Processing Expands in July
With an Index reading of 52.3, processors report first monthly expansion since the coronavirus disruption.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Index Inching Close to 50
January reading of 48.6 sends early signals of business-cycle phase change.
Contraction Slows Among Processors
Improvement in fourth-quarter new orders suggest a production boost may be in the offing.
K 2019 Report: Auxiliaries Stake Their Claim in the Circular Economy
The theme of sustainable plastics pervaded the exhibits at K 2019, even those of auxiliary equipment suppliers, where everything from dryers to blenders to hopper loaders was reimagined as part of a circular plastics process.
'Circular Economy' Dominates Discussion of Resins, Additives at K 2019
New product launches from materials suppliers at the giant show shine light on sustainability.
Reflection is Key to PolyOne's Color Inspiration 2021+ Color Trends Forecast
Four dynamic color palettes forecasted by PolyOne, each tied to ‘reflection’ on our lifestyle, environment and choices.
Hahn Automation Expands Management Team
German manufacturer of assembly and testing automation equipment has expanded its management team to include a chief operations officer (COO) and chief revenue officer (CRO).