Extrusion International 5-2025-USA

20 Extrusion International 5/2025 20 INDUSTRY NEWS 2025 Size and Impact Report : U.S. Plastics Industry Remains Robust, Impactful, and Vital The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released its 2025 Size and Impact Report , the asso- ciation’s agship annual analysis, which underscores the industry’s continued positive contributions to the U.S. economy despite ongoing headwinds and uncertainties. Using comprehensive economic data, the report highlights key manufacturing indicators – including equipment in- vestment, employment, shipments, and overall production capacity – providing a clear picture of the plas- tics industry’s strength and resilience. Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, presented an overview of the report’s ndings during an online Economic Executive Brie ng provided to PLASTICS members, members of the press, and other in- terested parties. Highlights shared during today’s brie ng included: • The U.S. plastics industry is large, accounting for over a million jobs (1,066,500) and $550.7 billion in shipments in 2024. • When suppliers to the plastics industry are considered, plastics-re- lated U.S. jobs grow to 1.71 million, and total shipment grow to $754.5 billion. • A success story for the U.S. econ- omy, plastics manufacturing em- ployment grew 1.3% per year from 2014 to 2024, outpacing total man- ufacturing, which saw employment grow only 0.5% per year during the same period. • As measured by gross output, the plastic products portion of the plastics industry was the eighth largest U.S. industry in 2023 (the latest year for which data is avail- able). • The plastics industry has a pres- ence in all 50 states and the Dis- trict of Columbia. Texas had the most employees in 2024, followed by Ohio, Michigan, California, and Pennsylvania. “Despite economic headwinds over the past year, the plastics indus- try has proven itself both resilient and steadfast,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President and CEO. “This report highlights our industry’s im- pact and its ability to adapt and in- novate to meet evolving demands. It also re ects the strength and de - termination of our workforce and the essential role we play as a key driver of the U.S. economy.” “This year’s report once again con- rms the resilience of the U.S. plas - tics industry. Its economic impact, in some respects outpacing total man- ufacturing, has remained positive for many years and is unlikely to change in the future,” said PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda. To request a copy of the Size and Impact Report Executive Summary please email Allie Richardson arichardson@plasticsindustry.org Materials Highlighted at K 2025 High-performance-polymer spe- cialist BIEGLO unveils an expanded materials line-up from Asia and USA. Most notable is the new stra- tegic PEEK-alliance with PFLUON Advanced Materials. Other key products in the BIEGLO portfo- lio include Mitsui Chemicals’ Au- rum® thermoplastic polyimide (TPI), NOWE™ 201 wear grades, Celazole® PEEK-PBI compounds, Meldin® - thermosetting Polyimide from Saint-Gobain, recycled PEEK- grades, and Spartech’s Royalite® sheet and Korad® lm. Mechanical engineering remains BIEGLOs core market, while BIEGLO is continu- ously expanding into electrical and electronic engineering, aerospace, mobility, and defense sectors. Product Highlights K-2025 New PEEK-Partnership – BIEGLO & PFLUON: BIEGLO has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Zhejiang PFLUON Technology Co., Ltd. The coopera- tion combines PFLUON’s expertise in PAEK-production and develop- ment capacities with BIEGLO’s Eu- ropean distribution network, tar- geting the automotive, aerospace and industrial market segments. Aurum® Thermoplastic Poly- imide: Mitsui Chemicals’ Aurum® TPI offers the highest glass-tran- sition temperature among melt- processable polymers: Tg 245 °C. Aurum is used in mechanical appli- cations as bearings, thrust-washers and gears. Increasingly Aurum is ‘discovered’ as insulation material in electrical and electronic environ- ments as high-voltage EV-coils, busbars, or as insulation layer for medical devices. Powder- and Ex- trusion-coating is possible with a 100% pure Polyimide. NOWE™ VC-201 (Aromatic ther- mosetting Copolyesters): NOWE™ VC-201 from ATSP Innovations combines aromatic thermosetting copolyesters with high thermal sta- bility (decomposition > 450 °C), low dielectric constant, and excellent dimensional and creep resistance. In PTFE composites, it boosts tem- perature performance and signi - cantly enhances wear resistance for high-demand applications. Celazole® PEEK-PBI Compounds: Celazole® T-Series blends PBIs 427°C Tg with PEEK’s melt-process- ability, HDT is lifted to 320 °C, boost- ing modulus and wear life, and re-