I just want to say one word to you – just one word. Are you listening? Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it.”

—The Graduate, 1967.

As the Trump administration gets underway, the country and the world are watching closely to see what they will prioritize in the weeks and months ahead. The fresh focus on revitalizing America’s manufacturing base is one Americans will welcome. Democracy, national security, and economic prosperity depend on a strong and innovative industrial foundation. One cornerstone for revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing base is in plastics innovation.

The U.S. leads the world in advancing materials science and technology. R&D investments in polymer technologies, advanced processing techniques, and cutting-edge engineering have resulted in lightweight, flexible and durable materials that transform the lives of consumers worldwide and benefit every sector of the U.S. economy.

These innovations have led to a wide range of revolutionary consumer applications. Custom prosthetics and braces provide advanced movement capability and increased comfort. Models of molecules and internal organs, built from specialized molds, are used to educate students in entirely new ways.

Recycled plastic waste is being transformed into fibers that are spun into yarn, which are knitted into hoodies, activewear and other clothing. Recycled plastic waste is also being molded into durable and versatile furniture (with the added benefit of reducing deforestation and dependence on wood, metal, and virgin plastic). Modern vehicles use plastic composites in airbags, bumpers and dashboards, improving both vehicle and pedestrian safety. Stronger, safer eyeglasses are made with new polycarbonates. The applications and consumer benefits are seemingly endless.

The industrial applications are equally astounding. The opportunity to produce and implement uniquely shaped components that were previously challenging to manufacture has boosted industries ranging from aerospace to transportation. Developments such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) and innovative new molding techniques have allowed rapid prototyping and production of complex geometries.

Advanced sealing technologies have prevented millions of pounds of food waste. The newest sealing technologies resist extreme temperature variations and pressures, with applications as varied as pipeline integrity, thermal management of electronics, and proper functioning of HVAC systems in vehicles.

Innovative polycarbonate and acrylic plastics support an astonishing array of transparency and visibility solutions. These materials are layered with glass to create bullet proof windows, are molded into aircraft windows because they withstand high altitude pressure and extreme temperatures, provide clear imagery for medical diagnostics, and underpin backlit signs to support colorful and vibrant displays.

Biodegradable materials, plant-based bioplastics, and advanced plastics recycling support sustainability across all sectors, reducing environmental impact and contributing to clean energy production. American innovators have made significant advances in full circle recycling, with design changes allowing for easier recycling and manufacture into new products, minimizing the need for new raw materials. Lighter and durable plastic composites have vastly improved energy capture efficiency and longevity of solar panels. In addition, developments in advanced materials have also led to the emerging area of self-healing plastics which mimic biological self-repair capabilities.

Success requires the Administration’s leadership to clear impediments and encourage investment. By continually developing new materials and processing techniques, the focus on manufacturing will mean more jobs, increase economic output, and improve consumer lives with state-of-the-art, high-quality, and sustainable products.

If reigniting manufacturing is a major goal of this administration, from a policy perspective and to quote Dustin Hoffman, “there’s a great future in plastics.”

Steve Pociask is with the American Consumer Institute, a nonprofit education and research organization. For more information about the Institute, visit www.TheAmericanConsumer.Org or follow us on Twitter (X) @ConsumerPal.

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