en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 21st, The Equipment Statistics Committee (CES) of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released a report indicating that North American plastic machinery shipments showed a growth trend in the fourth quarter of 2025. Compared to the previous quarter, they increased by 7.8%, and year-on-year growth was 7%.
The total shipment value of injection molding equipment and extrusion equipment was approximately $327 million, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth. Shipments of single-screw extruders and injection molding machines increased by 15.5% and 8.7% quarter-on-quarter respectively, while twin-screw extruders declined by 8.2%. Looking at year-on-year data, single-screw extruders grew by 14.5%, injection molding machines by 7%, and twin-screw extruders remained stable.
The report points out that this growth trend aligns with the performance of the U.S. macroeconomy. Despite facing tariff challenges, the U.S. economy maintained growth in 2025. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist at PLASTICS, stated: "Market adjustments made by the plastics industry supply chain in response to higher tariffs appear to have helped prevent further deterioration in a weak year for plastics manufacturing."
In the annual survey of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing conducted in October 2025, responding processors expressed strong interest in purchasing new equipment in 2026, but tariffs and other economic factors may impact their investment plans. Industry companies and analysts expressed concern about volatile trade policies, believing they increase business complexity and may not effectively support U.S. manufacturers.
Regarding trade data, U.S. plastic machinery imports reached a customs value of $3.5 billion in 2025, growing by 1.8%, while calculated tariffs surged by 179% to $374 million. Exports fell by 10.5% to $1 billion, leading to a 7.8% expansion of the trade deficit.
The CES Q4 survey showed a moderation in respondents' pessimism about market prospects. The proportion expecting conditions to worsen in the next quarter dropped from 48% to 13%, while the proportion expecting conditions to remain stable or improve over the next 12 months rose from 58% to 83%. Pineda added: "The outlook for modest economic growth in 2026 remains unchanged. However, what may improve is that industries lagging in recent years—such as construction—could outperform due to lower borrowing costs, thereby increasing demand for plastics and, in turn, demand for plastic equipment."
