Extrusion International 5-2025-USA

19 Extrusion International 5/2025 Economic Analysis: August Jobs Report Shows Mixed Signals for U.S. Manufacturing and Plastics Sector The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a new eco- nomic analysis examining the Au- gust 2025 U.S. jobs report and its implications for the manufacturing sector, with particular focus on plas- tics and rubber products manufac- turing. Written by PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda, the anal- ysis 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 unem- ployment rate ticked down to 3.8% from 4.2% in July,” writes Dr. Pine - da. “Despite this monthly improve- ment, 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 con- tinued positive sign for the sector.” 2025 Q2 Committee on Equipment Statistics Report Released The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has published the Com- mittee on Equipment Statistics (CES) report for the Second Quarter of 2025, authored by Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda. Despite ongoing un- certainty in global trade policy, the report reveals growth in shipment data compared to both the previous quarter and the same period in 2024. “Shipments stopped falling in the second quarter. In fact, com- paring the rst half of 2025 to the same period in 2024, shipments in- creased by 3.5%. It seems the plas - tics industry had a better handle on ongoing trade and tariff challenges across the value chain in the second quarter compared to the rst,” said PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD. Still, high tariff rates remain a concern. “If the overarching goal is to strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness – a goal the plas- tics industry fully supports – then, in the short term, the industry should be able to import production inputs and equipment no longer made in the U.S. at lower tariff rates,” Pine- da added. To read the report: https://lp.plasticsindustry.org/hubfs/ CES%20Media%20Reports/CES%20 Media%20Report%20Q2%202025.pdf Dr. Perc Pineda Disappointment Expressed The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) expressed disappoint- ment that the latest session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) in Geneva failed to produce meaningful prog- ress toward a global plastics agree- ment. “The plastics industry came to Geneva ready to work toward a practical, science-based agreement focused on the original purpose of these talks: keeping plastic out of the environment,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President and CEO. “Unfortunately, signi cant gaps remain, and there was an unwillingness among some partici- pants to focus on addressing plastic waste, instead pushing approaches that made it impossible to reach consensus. This was a missed op- portunity.” Seaholm continued, “The plastics industry has been engaged from the start of these negotiations, and our companies have been – and continue to be – investing in sus- tainability, innovative technolo- gies, and circular design to keep plastic in use and out of the envi- ronment. Our oceans have no bor- ders, which is why this must be a truly global effort. We know solu- tions exist, and we are working ev- ery day to eliminate plastic waste. Our industry is ready to lead and re- mains committed to being part of a global, workable solution.” www.plasticsindustry.org Matt Seaholm