Powering the Economy
We enjoy the benefits of plastic thanks to a skilled workforce that drives the economy, supports American manufacturing, and enhances safety and innovation every day.
Economics
Connected to just about every industry on the planet, the economics surrounding and resulting from plastic are vitally important to the financial health of nations and companies the world over.
The plastics industry is the 8th largest manufacturing industry in the United States.
15,146 U.S. manufacturing establishments operated in 2023.
The U.S. plastics industry accounted for $519.1 billion in shipments in 2023.
When suppliers to the plastics industry were included total shipments grew to $658.2 billion.
In 2023, the U.S. plastics industry exported $74.2 billion in goods—more than it imported—resulting in a trade surplus of nearly $1 billion.
Workforce
As plastics continue to flourish and companies producing and recycling them grow, more and more skilled workers will be needed to support the industry. Explore the fascinating world of opportunity that is the plastics industry.
The plastics industry has a presence in all 50 states.
Texas had the most plastics industry employees in 2023, followed by Ohio, California, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Georgia.
Plastics manufacturing employment grew 1.1% per year from 2013 – 2023.
A success story for the U.S. economy and outpacing total manufacturing, which saw employment grow by only 0.7% per year during the same period.
During 2023, upstream industries accounted for 546,900 jobs to supply goods and services to the plastics industry.
Every two plastics jobs support another job elsewhere in the economy.
The plastic supply chain is crucial to the success and growth of the U.S. economy.
Altogether, the plastics industry supports the employment of over 1.5 million people in the United States.
Plastic Supply Chain
There are more than a million people in the United States whose jobs are either indirectly or directly tied to the plastics industry across multiple industries. From the people who make the machinery with which plastics are manufactured, to the material suppliers who create and distribute raw plastic, to processors who form raw plastics into products, to recyclers who keep discarded plastic active in the economy, the plastics supply chain is a vital and diverse aspect of the world economy.
Material Suppliers
Processors
Equipment manufacturers and moldmakers
Recyclers
Industry Stories
Plastic has a positive impact on people and local communities. Learn and spread good news about plastic.
Eastman and Food City Unveil New Plastics Recycling Bin in Kingsport
The partnership program – Shop, Recycle, Repeat, announced last November – will enable customers to drop off their plastic waste in the area since curbside pickup is no longer available.
First up for students at Milacron Academy: Reassemble this press
The Milacron Advanced Manufacturing Academy (AMA) is back in session with a new instructor, machine and curriculum for 15 high school seniors beginning industry training and possibly launching careers at a life-long employer.
LyondellBasell Volunteers Focus Global Care Day Activities on Sustainability
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) volunteers across the globe took action as part of their commitment to sustainability during the 22nd annual Global Care Day, a company-wide day of service for employees and their families.