PLASTICS SHOW NO SIGNS OF SLOWING
Driven by a strong economy and continued demand, the plastics industry will continue its rapid expansion, showing no signs of slow growth or maturity through the year 2000. According to The CIT Group/Equipment Financing's 8th Annual Plastics Industry Outlook, 1998-2000, real processor shipments will increase 4.4 percent in 1998, slow slightly in 1999, and accelerate another 5 percent in 2000, reaching a record $128.6 billion, 14 percent above last year's record. "The outlook for plastics processing remains extremely positive," said Michael R. Paslaswskyj, Vice President of Economic Research for CIT. "It's a dynamic and thriving industry, and one that probably has many people wishing they hadn't laughed at the character in The Graduate who whispered in Dustin Hoffman's ear that the future was in plastics."

For more information, contact Fred Paik or George Sopko, The CIT Group, 212-780-1900.