From the CEO
Good morning folks,
About 4.5 years ago, I convinced my cousin to quit his job and sell his Tesla to go full-time with me in building the digital materials market. Today, I am happy to announce that Matium's market is officially open to all buyers, sellers, and traders of plastics - at no cost.
When companies list supply or demand, those listings are fed into our matchmaking system and then matched with active supply/demand on the platform and with the buying/selling habits of over 5,000 plastic companies that our AI has enhanced. Companies paying for our new Intelligence tier will receive those automated matches and leads.
If you would like to learn more about the updates and how you and your business can leverage this technology to increase efficiencies in your sales and procurement, please reach out to us. We understand that this industry has been forgotten in the age of technology, but we are dedicated to helping all of the people that make the American supply chain work.
We could not have gotten here without all the support across the industry; from recyclers, to traders, to resin producers, and publicly-traded manufacturers. Matium started with the idea that the materials industry needed a group of nerds to work on improving the market infrastructure. We are proud to be those nerds.
QUICK MARKET COMMENTS: PGP is expected to settle in the low 30's for Oct, Wide-spec PP is going to trade in the 30's and potentially hit upper 20's in Q4, Inventories across the board in plastics are high, Demand is soft, PET seems to be a traders' safe haven, Films were hot and now cooling off, Credit risks are becoming a serious consideration. Text me anytime to talk markets - 443-699-3481.
Thank you,
Bailey Robin - Cofounder/CEO
Key Indicators
| Indicator | Current | MoM | QoQ | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Funds Rate, % | 4.22 | -0.11 | -0.04 | -0.83 |
| PPI - Plastics and Resin | 316.3 | 1.2 | -4.0 | -0.3 |
| PPI - Trucking Rate | 186.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.7 |
| PMI - Manufacturing | 49.1 | 0.4 | -0.1 | 0.9 |
| US Plastics Imports, $B | 6.31 | 0.75 | 0.52 | -0.11 |
| US Plastics Exports, $B | 6.45 | -0.23 | -0.20 | -0.03 |
| US Plastics Production Index | 97.05 | -0.65 | -2.17 | -2.37 |
Sources: FRED, ISM, US Census.
Markets & Trade
1. PLASTICS Releases Global Trends Report, U.S. Plastics Remains Driver of Global Economic Growth
Source: Plastic Industry Association
The U.S. plastics industry continues to drive global economic growth, ranking as the world's second largest in plastics trade with a $23.7 billion trade surplus in resins in 2024, consistent with 2023 levels.
Mexico and Canada remain the largest export markets for U.S. plastics, with exports totaling $19.8 billion to Mexico and $14.3 billion to Canada, generating the industry's largest trade surplus of $11.6 billion with Mexico.
China is the third-largest export market for U.S. plastics at $7.3 billion, with the U.S. maintaining a $4.3 billion trade surplus in resin with China, despite China being the largest source of the industry's trade deficit at $12.4 billion.
2. Weekly Chemistry and Economic Trends (10-10-25)
Source: American Chemistry Council
U.S. production of major plastic resins totaled 8.9 billion pounds in August, a 3.0% decrease from the prior month but unchanged year-over-year, with year-to-date production stable at 67.6 billion pounds.
Sales and captive use of major plastic resins reached 8.6 billion pounds in August, down 1.7% month-over-month yet up 2.7% year-over-year, with year-to-date sales and captive use slightly ahead by 0.2%.
Chemical railcar loadings reached 32,919 for the week ending October 4th, marking a 1.6% increase year-over-year and a 0.9% rise year-to-date, indicating strengthening chemical shipment activity.
Light vehicle sales increased to a 16.4 million SAAR in September with a surge in electric vehicle sales reaching a record 11.8%, potentially influencing polymer demand in automotive plastics segments.
3. ADS Recycled Plastic Purchase Share Sinks to 3-Year Low
Source: Resource Recycling
Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), a major buyer of recycled HDPE and PP, reduced its recycled plastic purchases by 7.3% in fiscal 2025 to 501 million pounds, marking the lowest share since fiscal 2022 and decreasing the recycled content from 50% to 46% of total material purchases.
The decline in recycled material usage is largely due to increased sales of high-performance pipe products that require virgin polypropylene (PP) to comply with regulations, despite ongoing infrastructure projects supporting overall revenue.
Oversupply of virgin polyethylene (PE) and weak demand have pressured recycled HDPE market prices, reaching historic lows around 2.56 cents per pound for colored HDPE bales, impacting recycled material usage industry-wide.
ADS continues to source recycled HDPE from over 500 MRFs across North America with about 20% contamination in bales, and remains committed to its goal of purchasing one billion pounds of recycled material annually by fiscal 2032 through ongoing research and development.
Business & Corporate Strategy
1. Tomorrow Recycling Seeks Investment Opportunities
Source: Recycling Today
Tomorrow Recycling, based in Florida, is seeking partnerships and investment opportunities with existing recycling plant operators, emphasizing automation and ownership transition options that preserve business legacy.
The company aims to expand nationally by acquiring and supporting recycling facilities with capital, operational expertise, and back-office administration to enhance material recovery efficiencies.
Their focus includes robotic sorting technologies and material recovery facilities (MRFs) processing plastics and paperboard, indicating a commitment to advanced recycling operations.
2. Aduro Begins Global Site Selection Process for Demonstration Plant
Source: Recycling Today
Aduro Clean Technologies has initiated a global site selection process for its demonstration plant, targeting locations in Canada, Europe, and Mexico to scale up its chemical recycling technology for plastics and other feedstocks.
Aduro aims to select a demonstration plant location that can initially handle 8,000 tons per year with potential expansion up to 20,000 tons annually, emphasizing flexibility for future commercial-scale deployment.
Governance & Oversight
1. Colorado Approval Signals Path Forward for PRO Choice
Source: Resource Recycling
Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment approved the Lubricants Packaging Management Association's (LPMA) individual program plan, marking the first approval for an independent producer responsibility organization (PRO) under a state extended producer responsibility (EPR) law.
The Colorado EPR law allows producers flexibility to choose how to organize their compliance programs, enabling independent PROs to handle specialized packaging like petroleum containers and motor oil containers, which do not perform well in curbside recycling programs.
This approval signals an industry and regulatory shift toward supporting multiple PROs rather than a single mandated PRO, reflecting the need for tailored solutions to complex packaging challenges and potentially influencing upcoming EPR laws in states such as California, Maine, Maryland, and Washington.
Innovation & Product Development
1. Plastic Energy Offering New Tacfiller Product as Carbon Black Replacement
Source: Recycling Today
Plastic Energy has commercialized Tacfiller, a chemically recycled product derived from postconsumer plastic scrap, designed as a sustainable, lower-carbon alternative to traditional carbon black used in rubber manufacturing.
Tacfiller's production reduces emissions by up to 89% compared to conventional carbon black, supporting the rubber industry's need to meet stricter environmental regulations, including the EU's End-of-Life Vehicles Directive.
The product is REACH registered and scalable, with ongoing collaboration between Plastic Energy and rubber manufacturers like Standard Profil to validate Tacfiller's compatibility and performance in automotive applications.
2. Far Eastern New Century Develops Midsoles From Postconsumer PET Bottles
Source: Recycling Today
Far Eastern New Century (FENC) has developed recycled thermoplastic polyester elastomer (rTPEE) from postconsumer PET bottles for footwear midsoles, combining sustainability with strong performance characteristics like elasticity and cushioning.
FENC's rTPEE reduces carbon emissions by 10-30% compared to virgin TPEE and has been commercialized with adoption by major sports brands, indicating strong market acceptance and potential for growth.
FENC also introduced its AirTek PU technology, utilizing industrially captured CO2 to produce elastic materials with up to 58% reduction in carbon emissions while eliminating hazardous chemicals, advancing low-carbon sustainable material solutions in footwear and related applications.
Sustainability & Resource Management
1. Glacier AI at Penn Waste Aims to Improve PET, Fiber Output
Source: Resource Recycling
Glacier AI, backed by Amazon and supported by Cox Enterprises, has deployed its AI-powered sorting technology at Penn Waste's MRF in York County, Pennsylvania, aiming to increase PET capture and improve fiber quality for mills.
The AI system uses computer vision to identify over 70 material types and operates efficiently with about 45 picks per minute, providing real-time commodity data and enabling rapid installation within a day.
Early results indicate enhanced recovery rates, cleaner material quality, and reduced landfill waste, addressing producers' needs for higher-quality feedstock amid tight specifications.
Events & Conferences
1. Plastics Industry Association Unveils NPE2027 Theme: NEXT IS NOW
Source: Plastic Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association has announced 'NEXT IS NOW' as the official theme for NPE2027, the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, emphasizing immediate adoption of innovations and leadership in the sector.
The event will bring together over 2,200 exhibiting companies and 51,000 attendees from more than 130 countries, offering a global platform for stakeholders across the plastics value chain to collaborate and shape the industry's future.
Scheduled for May 3-7, 2027, in Orlando, Florida, NPE2027 will showcase technologies and solutions critical for advancing the plastics industry's next era, with exhibitor applications currently open.