The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released its 2025 Size and Impact Report, the association’s flagship 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 investment, employment, shipments, and overall production capacity — providing a clear picture of the plastics industry’s strength and resilience.

Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, presented an overview of the report’s findings during an online Economic Executive Briefing provided to PLASTICS members, members of the press, and other interested parties.

Highlights shared during today’s briefing 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-related U.S. jobs grow to 1.71 million, and total shipments grow to $754.5 billion.
• A success story for the U.S. economy, plastics manufacturing employment grew 1.3% per year from 2014 to 2024, outpacing total manufacturing, 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 available).
• The plastics industry has a presence in all 50 states and the District 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 industry has proven itself both resilient and steadfast,” said Matt Seaholm, PLASTICS President and CEO. “This report highlights our industry’s impact and its ability to adapt and innovate to meet evolving demands. It also reflects the strength and determination of our workforce and the essential role we play as a key driver of the U.S. economy.”

“This year’s report once again confirms the resilience of the U.S. plastics industry. Its economic impact, in some respects outpacing total manufacturing, has remained positive for many years and is unlikely to change in the future,” said PLASTICS Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda.