Texas Leads United States in Plastic Exports, Supporting Over 84,000 Jobs

The U.S. plastics industry continues to demonstrate significant economic impact, with industry shipments totaling $550.1 billion, supporting over 1.7 million jobs, and driving $78 billion in exports. A new economic analysis report, led by Dr. Perc Pineda, Chief Economist of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), highlights the effects of trade and tariff policies on the industry's economic scale.

The report also provides a detailed breakdown of employment and export situations for each state.

"Overall, these data reflect the breadth and depth of the U.S. plastics industry's influence both domestically and internationally." Pineda writes, "The industry not only provides over 1.7 million direct and supply chain supporting jobs, but also drives hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs through exports and related economic activities."

Tayce Shamamian, a research assistant at the Plastics Industry Association in the United States, contributed to the writing of this report.

Data source: The Society of the Plastics Industry based on data analysis from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. International Trade Administration.

Texas Leads U.S. Plastic Exports, Supporting Over 84,000 Jobs

Texas is the top-contributing U.S. state for plastic exports, with plastic export value exceeding $23 billion in 2025, supporting 29.7%—approximately 84,506—of jobs related to plastic exports. According to Pineda, Texas’ leading position stems from its role as a major resin producer, exporter, and shipping hub, as well as its proximity to Mexico, the largest export market for U.S. plastics.

"Mexico is the largest export market for the U.S. plastics industry, and geographic proximity drives strong cross-border trade, further cementing Texas's central role." Pineda wrote.

Although Texas dominates in export-related employment, other states play unique roles in the plastic supply chain. For example, California, due to its strategic location, port infrastructure, and access to the Mexican and Pacific markets, supports more export-related jobs than traditional manufacturing states like Michigan and Ohio.

Data Source: Plastics Industry Association of the United States, based on analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. International Trade Administration

The contributions of each state highlight the supply chain landscape

The analysis highlights the diverse contributions of states to the plastics industry. Some states, like Texas, stand out in production and exports; while states like Louisiana, despite having a smaller overall employment scale in the plastics industry, support a significant number of export-related jobs.

"Understanding these dynamics highlights the importance of supporting the plastic supply chain, formulating trade policies that enhance competitiveness, and increasing investment in U.S. manufacturing, which are crucial for job stability and sustained economic growth," Pineda concluded.

In 2025, U.S. plastic exports supported over 284,000 jobs, slightly declining from 2024, mainly due to a $2 billion decrease in export value compared to 2024. Despite the decline, the industry remains a key pillar of the U.S. economy, with influence spanning the entire production, logistics, and international trade sectors.