The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) released its second-quarter 2026 report, showing softer shipment activity and stronger new orders and broader growth in U.S. equipment investment.
Primary plastics machinery shipments totaled an estimated $235.8 million in Q2. While shipments remained soft, stronger new orders and increased U.S. equipment investment point to a strengthening pipeline for machinery demand.
The report also found:
- Twin-screw extrusion machinery shipments increased 25.4 percent from Q1.
- 39 percent of CES survey respondents expect market conditions to improve over the next 12 months.
- U.S. plastics machinery exports totaled $755.8 million in Q2, generating a $480.3 million trade surplus, a 24.1 percent increase from a year earlier.
Published October 2026
