NEWS


US plastic machine sales kept rising last year but still trail 2024


North American sales of plastics processing


machinery continued to rise in the third quarter of last year – but are still behind the same period in 2024. The Plastics Industry


Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) said that machinery sales were US$303 million for the quarter – 20% up on Q2 this year but around 5% lower than Q3 in 2024. Sales of extrusion equipment suffered: single-screw extruders fell nearly 5% from the previous quarter and 24% year-on- year; for twin-screw extruders, the respective declines were 29% and 39%. By comparison, injection moulding sales rose 30% on the previous quarter and 4% year-on-year. “Although shipments continued to increase, it is obvious that both processes faced different headwinds


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$US


by 76% in July compared to the same month last year. In the third-quarter survey


Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025


Primary plastics machinery sales, US Source: CES, Plastics Industry Association


during the quarter,” said Perc Pineda, chief economist at the association. “Sector- specific drivers were at play, causing injection moulding to rise while extrusion fell. Both equipment types were in different cycles.” While residential construction has remained largely flat, due to high interest rates, motor vehicles and parts production have been trending upward since January.


However, Pineda said that


rate cuts by the Federal Reserve point to lower borrowing costs – which will eventually lead to higher equipment demand. On US plastics machinery


trade, based on the latest available data, exports totalled US$113m and imports US$336m, resulting in a US$223m trade deficit. Compared to a year earlier, exports fell 1.6%, imports by 39%. The trade deficit rose


of CES members, 52% of respondents expected the market to remain steady or improve over the next 12 months – slightly below the 58% response in the previous quarter. However, the share reporting that steady or improved quoting activity rose from 76% to 81% – the second consecutive quarter of an increase. “While the government shutdown has delayed the release of economic data, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow estimate for third-quarter growth – as of November 5 – stands at 4%,” said Pineda. “Trade and tariff issues remain a concern, yet markets appear to be adapting to this – which hinges on US policy shifts and outcomes from trade talks with key partners.” � www.plasticsindustry.org


Faerch targets 30% rPET use this year


PET tray producer Faerch says it plans to raise recyclate levels in its products as high as 30% by the end of this year. The company says that Cirrec – its integrated recycling facility – now has an annual output of 27,000 tonnes of rPET pellets. The company says that Cirrec enables it to turn post-consumer trays into new food-grade packaging. “Faerch ensures stability and quality in food packaging by managing the recycling process through Cirrec,” said Tim Rademacker, divisional CEO for recycling at Faerch. “This allows us to secure high standards for raw materials, consistent quality and reliable supply.” The company has integrated its goal – to achieve 25-30%


IMAGE: FAERCH 8 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2026


tray rPET content across its product portfolio this year – into its certification processes. � www.faerch.com


www.filmandsheet.com


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