Extrusion International USA 5-2020

26 Extrusion International 5/2020 EXTRUSION INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY NEWS 2020 Size & Impact Report: Plastics Industry 8th Largest in U.S. The U.S. plastics industry accounted for an estimated $432 bil- lion in shipments and 1,003,000 jobs last year, according to the 2020 Size & Impact Report, an annual publication of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). Including its upstream effects, plastics industry employment grows to an estimated 1.5 million and shipments to $549.5 bil- lion. PLASTICS provides these estimates based on the most re- cent, complete data from the previous year. At the state level, California’s plastics industry workforce is the most numerous at an estimated 79,700 workers in 2019. Ohio places second with 74,500 workers, and Texas third with an es- timated 71,400. Indiana and Michigan feature the highest con- centration of plastics industry workers, each with an estimated 16 plastics employees for every 1,000 non-farmworkers. “Plastic is one of the most advanced and useful materials hu- manity ever created, contributing to longer, healthier and bet- ter lives for people around the globe,” said Tony Radoszewski, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “It’s also quite economically im- portant to communities across our country.” “Toprotect jobs aswell as theenvironment,weat PLASTICS sup- port domestic and international infrastructure improvements to reuse, repurpose and recycle more material. This would help to preserve and extend the benefits of plastic and plastic products, and create innovation, jobs and economic growth, important to the current recovery,” said Radoszewski. The 2020 Size & Report, from PLASTICS’ Chief Economist Perc Pineda, PhD, also offers an outlook for the plastics industry and numerical forecasts for employment and shipments. It provides an analysis of the effects of COVID-19, providing three possible scenarios for the future of plastics, and shares more information critical to business-planning. “Plasticsarevital,andin2019,79%ofplasticsproductswereused in some sort of personal consumption... toys, utensils, detergent bottles, motor vehicles, refrigerators, and more,” said Pineda. “Plastics for consumer essentials like food packaging, personal, and healthcare, will continue to see healthy demand.” The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) plasticsindustry.org Evonik www.evonik.de Conventus Polymers LLC www.conventuspolymers.com Conventus Polymers, a leading distributor of high-perfor- mance engineering thermoplastics, has signed an agreement to distribute Evonik Corporation’s VESTAKEEP ® polyetherether- ketone (PEEK) compounds in the U.S. and Canada. The agree- ment with the Essen, Germany-based global producer covers all VESTAKEEP ® PEEK industrial grades (excluding the medical and healthcare portfolio). Conventus will sell the range of VESTAKEEP ® PEEKgrades for in- jection, extrusion, and compression molded applications in tar- geted markets including wire and cable, automotive, defense, electrical, aerospace, and general industrial. These aromatic polyetheretherketone compounds are suitable for producing long-lasting, heavy-duty, clean components for use in semiconductor production, oil exploration, automotive, and aviation sectors. VESTAKEEP ® PEEK outperforms metals by improving systemdurability and lowering component manufac- turing costs. These benefits derive from the materials’ unique combination of properties including chemical resistance, tem- perature resistance, abrasion resistance and lubricity, high rigid- ity, combined with lowweight and versatile processability. Conventus offers a highly technical focus, unique expertise, and strong relationships with key OEMs. The company’s focused approach within key end-use markets and its ability to develop new applications will be critical in expanding penetration of VESTAKEEP PEEK in the U.S. and Canada. Conventus is already a strong player in the distribution of high-temperature polymer resins and compounds within North America. “Weareexcitedabout our partnershipwithEvonikbecause they are committed to innovation,” said John Jorgensen, President of Conventus Polymers. “VESTAKEEP ® PEEKproducts already offer unique grades with greater ductility than the competition, and their exclusive grades such as VESTAKEEP 5000 series are the type of cutting-edge solutions our customers require.” Evonik’s portfolio of PEEK compounds expands Conventus’ high-tem- perature portfolio which already includes PPA, PPS, PPSU, PES, PSU, and is unparalleled in the industry. Conventus’ strategy to align its business with global industry leaders is further solidified by this agreement with Evonik. Con- ventus will provide all technical marketing, account manage- ment, application development, and customer service support. Named as an Authorized Distributor