Raul, an engineer at SABIC, is advancing technologies that allow plastics to be reused again and again in a circular economy.
Texas Plastics Manufacturing and Innovation
Texas Manufacturing Depends on Plastic
From Houston to El Paso, manufacturers rely on high-tech materials—especially plastic—to drive jobs, innovation, and progress.
Plastic’s Role in Texas’ Economy
Texas: A Powerhouse of Plastic Innovation
Texas is America’s plastics leader. The lone star state leads the nation in plastics jobs and shipments and ranks #2 for wages and plastic facilities. The state’s plastics makers ship more goods and support more jobs than anywhere in the country—helping fuel a stronger U.S. manufacturing base.
Plastic = Innovation
Plastic is a high-tech material shaped by chemistry, physics, and engineering, enabling better healthcare, cleaner energy, safer transportation, and access to safe food and clean water.
Let’s keep that innovation in Texas—not send it overseas.
Support plastics manufacturing and recycling in Texas.
Made-in-Texas Industries Rely on Plastic
Texas’ economic output is enormous—and plastic helps power it.
Here’s how key sectors use plastics every day.
Solar Energy
Texas ranks #1 in U.S. solar installed (2024) and is projected to grow fastest over the next five years.
Plastics bond, seal, insulate, and protect delicate cells—back sheets help block moisture and UV.
Agribusiness
From farm to shelf, lightweight plastic packaging reduces spoilage and lowers transport emissions—supporting the nation’s #1 state for farms and ranches.
High-tech plastics are critical for devices like surgical robots, implants, and PPE.
Michigan’s 4th largest private employer, based in Kalamazoo, builds a global lineup of plastic-based healthcare tools.
Medical plastics must meet exacting standards for cleanliness, durability, and biocompatibility.
Tech / Computers / Electronics
Plastics house, insulate, and protect sensitive electronics—and support domestic microchip manufacturing in Texas.
This high-growth sector now drives ~20% of U.S. exports in its category.
Texas Jobs & Workforce — People Powering Progress
exas’ manufacturing success depends on innovation—and on people. Engineers, technicians, and scientists are rethinking how plastics are made, used, and remade—strengthening industries and communities statewide. Plastics don’t just power products; they power Texas’ manufacturing economy. The numbers tell the story:
853,000 employees in manufacturing statewide
$808 billion in goods shipped annually
7% of state jobs are in manufacturing
Did you know: Michigan has more engineers per capita than any other state. Many are helping transform plastic into products for national defense, healthcare, energy, and more.
Get to know a few folks who are helping strengthen U.S. manufacturing and innovating within the industry
Danielle, North American Sustainability Manager at Dow, is pioneering alternative recycling systems to capture plastics that don’t make it into curbside bins.
Matthew, an engineer at Chevron Phillips Chemical, is developing scalable solutions to tackle plastic waste—one truckload at a time
Ron, Sustainability Technology Manager at Chevron Phillips Chemical, is producing circular polyethylene from recycled mixed-waste plastics to help close the loop on plastic use.
Kate, sustainability specialist at SABIC, is helping some of the world’s biggest brands incorporate more recycled plastics in their products.
Dell, a scientist at Dow, coordinated the delivery of 42,000 feet of replacement plastic pipe to restore drinking water after winter storm Uri.
Natalie, an engineer at ExxonMobil, specializes in sourcing used plastics to remake into new plastics.
Mark, a site manager at LyondellBasell, oversees production of plastics for essential products—from bleach bottles to medical supplies—while driving sustainable practices.
Jesus, an advanced recycling and bio supply specialist at Dow, builds partnerships that unite people and resources to advance sustainable plastics solutions.
Texas Recycling Innovation= Jobs
U.S. plastic makers—including Texans—are investing billions in advanced recycling. These technologies turn used plastic back into valuable raw materials, helping recycle more of the ~90% of plastics not recycled today, creating jobs, and reducing landfill waste. But we need Congress to do its part to pave the way.
Send a letter to Washington urging support for plastic recycling innovation. 
2025
American Chemistry Council, Inc.
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