economics
Plastics Processing Activity Lands Flat at 50 in March
Latest reading is a slight regression from February’s expansion but not enough to call it contraction.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, Gardner Intelligence
Plastics Index Shows Supply Chain Improvement Despite Production Slowdown
Future expectations reach 2024 high on the heels of the recent election.
Read MorePlastics Processing Index Remains Virtually Unchanged
Future ´óÏó´«Ã½ indicators rose again this month, but other inputs changed only slightly.
Read MorePlastics Processing Contraction Slows Slightly
While the market is still sluggish, future ´óÏó´«Ã½ outlook rose significantly from last month.
Read MorePlastics Processing Activity Contraction Continues in August
Four months of consecutive contraction overall.
Read MorePlastics Processing Activity Contracted in July
Plastics processing GBI contracted for the third month in a row.
Read MoreProcessing Takes a Dip in June
Plastics activity took a relatively big downturn in June, ending at a low for the year and lower than the same month a year ago.
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Plastics Processing Index Registers Expansion With February Reading of 50.9
Improvements across components drive steady climb out of contraction for the first time since June 2022.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, Gardner Intelligence
Processing Activity Dips in May
Plastics processing took a downturn in May, the first appreciable dip since November 2023.
Read MoreProcessing Activity Nears Expansion Level
Plastics processing kept pushing along in April, landing less than one point shy of expansion.
Read MoreNPE2024 and the Economy: What PLASTICS' Pineda Has to Say
PLASTICS Chief Economist Perc Pineda shares his thoughts on the economic conditions that will shape the industry.
Read MoreFor W&H, Big Themes are MDO, the Circular Economy, Retrofits
NPE2024: Machine builders responding to a need for flexible packaging processors are looking to make their operations more sustainable.
Read MoreProcessing Making Slow, Steady Progress
Plastics processing activity didn’t make its way into expansion territory in March, but seems headed in that direction.
Read MoreProcessing Megatrends Drive New Product Developments at NPE2024
It’s all about sustainability and the circular economy, and it will be on display in Orlando across all the major processes. But there will be plenty to see in automation, AI and machine learning as well.
Read MorePlastics Index Shows Fourth Consecutive Monthly Gain
December reading hints at slowing contraction as plastics industry outlook improves
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, Gardner Intelligence
February Index Dips a Tiny Bit
Index holds steady as optimism about future ´óÏó´«Ã½ conditions continues to increase among processors.
Read MoreTwin-Screw Showcased in Circular Economy Demo
NPE2024: A KraussMaffei twin will upcycle pelletized blood vials, which will then be overmolded on another press to produce bottle openers.
Read MorePlastics Processing Pattern Prevails With an Uptick in December
Like December 2022, the December 2023 index represents increased activity following dips in November.
Read MorePlastics Processing Activity Drops in November
The drop in plastics activity appears to be driven by a return to accelerated contraction for three closely connected components — new orders, production and backlog.
Read MoreContraction in Processing Slows in October
The Gardner Business Index for plastics processing activity jumped a bit in October, though it still contracted as it has since July 2022.
Read MorePlastics Processing Activity Continues to Contract
September’s survey results mark a third month of a very similar GBI.
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Plastics Index Shows Fourth Consecutive Monthly Gain
December reading hints at slowing contraction as plastics industry outlook improves
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, Gardner Intelligence
Plastics Processing Activity Held Steady in August
Monthly index indicates overall plastics processing activity stayed on its path of contraction.
Read MorePlastics Processing Business Index Contracts Further
All components dip as index hits low point of 2023.
Read MoreIndex Still Searching for Growth
But the good news is that June’s results were nearly a point above May’s.
Read MorePlastics Processing Contraction Continues
Contraction dominated the GBI index for overall plastics processing activity and almost all components, collectively suggesting a slowdown.
Read MorePlastics Processing Continued Contraction in April
Despite some index components accelerating and others leveling off, April spelled contraction for overall plastics processing activity.
Read MorePlastics Processing Contracted Again in March
Processing activity contracted for the ninth straight month, and at a faster rate.
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