PLASTICS INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW
Despite recent turmoil in Asian markets, the plastics industry will continue its expansion with shipments reaching record levels through the year 2000 according to The CIT Group/Equipment Financing's Plastics Industry Update. The forecast, which was published this month, predicts that real shipments will increase 3.5% in 1999 to a record $121.3 billion, and grow another 4% in 2000 reaching a record $126.1 billion. "The plastics industry shows no signs of slowing down in the near future," said Michael Paslawskyj, Vice President of Economic Research for CIT. He added that a recession could cause a slight slowdown in the industry, although he does not expect that to happen in the short-term due to the Federal Reserve's aggressive cut in interest rates last Fall. Paslawskyj also said that should a recession transpire, the most likely outcome would be "a modest decline in shipments, as was the case in1991 in the aftermath of the 1990-1991 recession."

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