Plastic and mold exports down, machinery exports up: Statistics Canada (September 10, 2007)

Statistics Canada has released new data on plastic industry-related shipments, imports and exports during the first half of 2007.

Shipments in the plastic products industry were $9.5 billion, down seven per cent when compared to the first half of 2006. While imports of plastic products increased by four per cent, exports decreased by four per cent. Shipments in this segment experienced a year-over-year decline in 2006 for the first time since 1991.

For synthetic resins, shipments were up by three per cent to $6.5 billion. However, imports and exports were both down, with a reported eight per cent decrease in synthetic resin exports.

The plastics processing machinery industry experienced the strongest growth in the first half of the year. Shipments were up by 16 per cent at $0.69 billion, and exports were up by 14 per cent at $0.60 billion. There was no change in imports in comparison to the first half of 2006.

Although shipment numbers were not available for molds, Canadian companies exported $0.49 billion in this sector in the first half of 2007. That number is down by 17 per cent in comparison to 2006. Imports of molds experienced a modest growth of two per cent in 2007.