#ECONOMICS

Plastics Processing Contracted Again in March

Processing activity contracted for the ninth straight month, and at a faster rate.

Jan Schafer
Director of Market Research

Plastics Processing Contraction Steadied in November

Though still contracting, November marks a break in what has been a steadily faster rate of contraction in plastics processing activity.

Plastics Processing Contracts Again

October’s reading marks four straight months of contraction.

Plastics Processing Continues to Contract

The September Index signaled a second month of declining activity for plastics processors overall, while custom processors fared even worse.

Plastics Processing Dips Again in August

August’s reading has total plastics processing contracting at about the same level and pace as July.

Plastics Processing Crosses the (Flat) Line

July’s index has plastics processing moving into contraction territory.

Processing Slips as Summer Simmers

Monthly index suggests slower growth in June for plastics processors overall and contraction for custom firms.

Plastics Processing Activity Near Flat in February

The month proved to not be all dark, cold, and gloomy after all, at least when it comes to processing activity.

Jan Schafer
Director of Market Research

Plastics Processing Growth Slows Slightly

May reading for plastics processors is, for the most part, a continuation of what we saw in April.

Plastics Processing’s Ups and Downs

Overall index dips, but custom processors hold steady. Employment up, backlogs down.

Plastics Processing Expansion Continues

March marked the fourth straight month of gains.

Plastics Processors Start 2022 with Modest Boost

Expansion accelerates in new orders, production, and backlogs.

Processing Index Ends Year Near Where It Started

2021’s initial burst of expansion tapers by year end.

Processing Activity Still Expanding, But at a Slowing Pace

Supplier delivery activity declines to January 2021 levels, which may bode well for production in 2022.

Processing Activity Contracts More Slowly in January

Despite contracting again in January, plastics processing activity rebounded a bit from a rather significant drop in December.

Jan Schafer
Director of Market Research

Rising Employment Lifts Processing Index

October saw broad-based processing expansion, led by employment, and an easing of backlog growth.

Backlogs Surge as Production Deficit Widens

September results show accelerating backlog activity on decelerating production.

Processing Activity Challenged by Production ‘Deficit’

Slowing growth in production and employment activity contrast with strong new orders, resulting in a production activity ‘deficit.’ Custom processors gain.

Recycled Materials

Chemical Recycling Poised to Take Off

Investments in chemical-recycling facilities abound as the industry moves closer to the Circular Economy model, accompanied by plenty of new rollouts of packaging made from chemical recycling.

Processing Index Dips on Slowing Backlogs & New Orders

Processors reports slower expansion in new orders, production, and backlogs.

Recycled Materials

Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Aims for Climate Neutrality by 2023 and Climate Positivity by 2030

Two recent MCAM acquisitions further support the company’s circular economy actions.

Processing Activity Slips

Index closes at level not seen since May 2020.

Jan Schafer
Director of Market Research

Processing Expansion Returns to Near All-Time High

Industry smashes records in first half of 2021.

Processing Market Growth Slows in May

Plastics processing reported slowing growth across all measures of activity in May

Index Moderates After Record Highs

New orders and production show biggest dip.

Index Reaches All-Time High … Again

Index hits record mark for second straight month, with quickening expansion in new orders, backlogs and production.

Processors Record All-Time High Activity Levels

Survey data reveals quickening expansion among both captive and custom operations.

Processors Extend 2020 Expansion into New Year

Survey data report quickening expansion in plastics, notably in custom processing.

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