Extrusion International 3-2025-USA

41 Extrusion International 3/2025 Strong Q1 Polyethylene Export Growth Despite Trade Policy Uncertainty Highlighted Amid shifting global trade policy trends, the Plastics Industry Associa- tion (PLASTICS) has published a new economic analysis spotlighting ro- bust first-quarter polyethylene (PE) trade exports. The article, authored by PLASTICS’ Chief Economist Dr. Perc Pineda, offers timely insights into the commodity trade landscape and the potential risks posed by evolving trade policies. Dr. Pineda writes, “Despite the trade policy uncertainty, the first- quarter results reaffirm the U.S. plastics industry’s comparative ad- vantage in PE. Backed by abundant feedstock availability, world-scale production capacity, and prefer- ential access through trade agree- ments, the U.S. remains a competi - tive global supplier of polyethylene. Barring significant disruptions, that position is unlikely to change in the near term.” To read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog: www.plasticsindustry.org/blog/ manufacturing-edges-up-in-q1-despite- trade-and-tariff-pressures-2/ Strong U.S. Housing Market as Strategic Indicator for Plastics Industry Growth Highlighted A new analysis from Dr. Perc Pine - da, Chief Economist for the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), highlights a resilient U.S. housing market as a critical marker of sta- bility and opportunity for the plas- tics industry and broader American manufacturing sector. “Residential construction is a key market for plastics, which are essen- tial for the production of products like pipes, insulation, siding, win- dows, and other homebuilding ap- plications. According to the Plastics Industry Association’s 2024 Size and Impact Report, $6.7 billion of the $426.7 billion in final demand for single-family residential structures in 2023 was attributable to plastic content,” Dr. Pineda writes. “Understanding the trajectory of this market is critical for profession- als across the entire plastics industry value chain,” added Dr. Pineda. To read the full analysis: https://www.plasticsindustry.org/ blog/tracking-the-housing-market- what-plastics-industry-professionals- need-to-know/ Economic Analysis: Steady Consumer Spending Signals Growth for Plastic Packaging PLASTICS Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new U.S. economic analysis, highlighting steady consumer demand for non- durable goods and the implications for the future of plastic packaging. The report focuses onpersonal con- sumption expenditures (PCE), a key driver of economic activity and a re- liable indicator of industry demand. Dr. Pineda writes, “PCE on non - durable goods is a key data point that our industry continues to mon- itor. This metric serves as a broad proxy for packaging demand – par- ticularly in food and beverage ap- plications. Nondurable goods con - sumption in the first quarter was estimated at $3.5 trillion, up from $3.3 trillion in the same period last year, marking a 2.9% year-over- year increase – an indication of growing market potential for plas- tic packaging.” https://www.plasticsindustry.org/ blog/u-s-economic-update-gdps-impli- cations-for-plastic-packaging/ Dr. Perc Pineda www.smart-extrusion.com