Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Chief Economist, Dr. Perc Pineda, has released a new U.S. economic analysis, highlighting steady consumer demand for nondurable goods and the implications for the future of plastic packaging. The report focuses on personal consumption expenditures (PCE), a key driver of economic activity and a reliable indicator of industry demand.

Dr. Pineda writes, “PCE on nondurable goods is a key data point that our industry continues to monitor. This metric serves as a broad proxy for packaging demand—particularly in food and beverage applications. Nondurable goods consumption in the first quarter was estimated at $3.5 trillion, up from $3.3 trillion in the same period last year, marking a 2.9% year-over-year increase—an indication of growing market potential for plastic packaging.”
Click here to read the full analysis on the PLASTICS blog.