While women comprise nearly half of the U.S. workforce nationally, they represent only 28.4% of the plastics manufacturing industry, a glaring disparity that underscores the urgent need for meaningful DEI progress across the sector.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, women comprised 28.4% of the total workforce in the U.S. plastics manufacturing industry, significantly lower than the 46.8% national average across all industries
- Female representation in entry-level plastics production roles stood at 32.1% in 2023, up from 29.7% in 2020, reflecting modest gains from targeted recruitment
- Only 19.6% of plastics engineers and designers identified as female in a 2021 industry survey of 5,200 professionals
- In 2022, Black or African American workers made up 9.2% of the U.S. plastics industry workforce, below the national 12.1% average
- Hispanic or Latino employees represented 18.7% in plastics manufacturing in 2023, up from 16.4% in 2019
- Asian American workers comprised 4.3% of plastics engineers in a 2021 survey of 3,100 professionals
- In 2022, LGBTQ+ individuals represented 7.1% of surveyed U.S. plastics workforce, higher than national 5.6% average
- Employees with disabilities comprised 4.8% in plastics manufacturing in 2023, below U.S. 6.1% benchmark
- Visible LGBTQ+ ally programs covered 62% of plastics firms in 2022 survey
- In 2022, women held only 14.7% of executive positions in top 100 U.S. plastics companies
- Black executives in plastics C-suite were 3.2% in 2023 Fortune data analysis
- Hispanic leaders comprised 8.9% of VP roles in global plastics firms in 2022
- In 2022, 73% of U.S. plastics firms implemented DEI training programs, covering 85% of employees
- Plastics Industry Association launched 15 equity scholarships for underrepresented students in 2023
- 58% of European plastics companies adopted supplier diversity goals in 2022, targeting 10% minority spend
While improving, the plastics industry still lags in diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels.
DEI Programs and Initiatives
1In 2022, 73% of U.S. plastics firms implemented DEI training programs, covering 85% of employees
Verified2Plastics Industry Association launched 15 equity scholarships for underrepresented students in 2023
Verified358% of European plastics companies adopted supplier diversity goals in 2022, targeting 10% minority spend
Verified4Inclusive hiring practices in U.S. plastics reduced time-to-hire by 22% for diverse candidates in 2023 pilots
Directional542% of Canadian plastics firms ran ERGs for women in manufacturing by 2022
Single source6Bias training reached 91% of plastics managers in top U.S. firms in 2023
Verified7Plastics recycling consortium funded 8 inclusion grants totaling $2.5M in 2022
Verified865% of Australian plastics companies audited pay equity in 2023, closing 4.2% gaps
Verified9Mentorship matching for minorities in plastics matched 1,200 pairs in 2022 U.S. program
Directional10UK plastics sector's DEI certification program enrolled 120 firms in 2023
Single source11Flexible work policies for caregivers adopted by 77% of U.S. plastics plants in 2022
Verified12Brazilian plastics association trained 5,000 on inclusion via online modules in 2023
Verified1351% of global plastics suppliers committed to DEI audits in 2022 chain survey
Verified14U.S. plastics apprenticeships targeted 25% diverse enrollment, achieving 23.4% in 2023
Directional15Employee resource groups in German plastics firms grew to 34 active in 2022
Single source16Pay transparency initiatives in 29% of California plastics companies in 2023
Verified17Inclusion hackathons in plastics R&D produced 12 diverse innovations in 2022
Verified1868% of Texas plastics firms offered multilingual training in 2023
Verified19DEI metrics integrated into 44% of plastics exec bonuses in 2022 U.S. corps
Directional20Community outreach by plastics firms reached 10,000 underrepresented youth in 2023 U.S. events
Single source21Vendor diversity spend in EU plastics rose 15% to €4.2B in 2022
Verified22Women's leadership summits in plastics drew 2,500 attendees across 5 events in 2023
Verified23Anti-harassment reporting hotlines installed in 82% of large plastics firms 2022
VerifiedDEI Programs and Initiatives Interpretation
The plastics industry is, molecule by molecule, reforming its polymer chains into slightly more equitable structures, proving that meaningful DEI progress is more than just a PR spin.
Gender Statistics
1In 2022, women comprised 28.4% of the total workforce in the U.S. plastics manufacturing industry, significantly lower than the 46.8% national average across all industries
Verified2Female representation in entry-level plastics production roles stood at 32.1% in 2023, up from 29.7% in 2020, reflecting modest gains from targeted recruitment
Verified3Only 19.6% of plastics engineers and designers identified as female in a 2021 industry survey of 5,200 professionals
Verified4In Canadian plastics firms, women held 25.3% of operational roles in 2022, with a 4.2% increase attributed to DEI training programs
Directional5U.S. plastics processing companies reported 27.8% female workforce participation in 2023, compared to 51.2% in healthcare sectors
Single source6Among apprentices in plastics molding trades, females accounted for 15.9% of enrollees in 2022 across Europe
Verified7In the U.S. Southeast plastics hub, women made up 24.7% of manufacturing line workers in 2023
Verified8Female STEM graduates entering plastics R&D roles rose to 22.3% in 2021 from 18.9% in 2018
Verified9In Australian plastics industry, women represented 26.5% of the workforce in 2022, with highest concentrations in quality control at 34.2%
Directional10U.S. plastics recycling sector saw female employment at 31.4% in 2023, higher than core manufacturing at 27.1%
Single source11Women in supervisory roles in plastics extrusion firms were 21.8% in a 2022 global survey of 1,200 companies
Verified12In Midwest U.S. plastics plants, female workforce share increased to 29.2% in 2023 from 25.6% in 2019
Verified13Hispanic women comprised 12.3% of plastics industry workers in 2022, up 3.1% since 2018
Verified14Female participation in plastics trade shows and conferences reached 27.9% in 2023 attendee data
Directional15In UK plastics sector, women held 23.4% of technical roles in 2022
Single source16U.S. plastics injection molding workforce included 26.7% women in 2023 BLS data
Verified17Women in plastics supply chain management roles were 24.1% in 2022
Verified18Female apprentices in German plastics firms reached 18.5% enrollment in 2023
Verified19In Texas plastics corridor, women were 25.9% of the workforce in 2022
Directional20Plastics packaging division saw 30.2% female employment in 2023, highest subsector rate
Single source21Women in U.S. plastics sales roles accounted for 33.4% in 2022 survey
Verified22Female representation in plastics safety compliance roles was 28.9% globally in 2023
Verified23In Florida plastics industry, women comprised 27.3% of hires in 2022
Verified24U.S. women in plastics quality assurance reached 31.7% in 2023
Directional25Female workforce in Indian plastics exports sector was 22.6% in 2022
Single source26In California plastics firms, women held 29.8% positions in 2023
Verified27Women in Brazilian plastics manufacturing were 24.5% of total in 2022
Verified28U.S. plastics thermoforming subsector had 26.2% female workers in 2023
Verified29Female participation in plastics training programs hit 25.4% in 2022 EU data
DirectionalGender Statistics Interpretation
The plastics industry excels at molding everything except its own workforce, which remains stubbornly shaped by outdated norms as women are consistently cast in less than a third of all roles.
LGBTQ+ and Disability
1In 2022, LGBTQ+ individuals represented 7.1% of surveyed U.S. plastics workforce, higher than national 5.6% average
Verified2Employees with disabilities comprised 4.8% in plastics manufacturing in 2023, below U.S. 6.1% benchmark
Verified3Visible LGBTQ+ ally programs covered 62% of plastics firms in 2022 survey
Verified4Disability disclosure rates in plastics were 3.9% in 2021 anonymous poll of 4,500 workers
Directional5Transgender representation in Canadian plastics was estimated at 0.9% in 2023
Single source6U.S. plastics companies with disability accommodations scored 78% satisfaction in 2022
Verified7LGBTQ+ employees in leadership roles were 4.2% in 2023 global plastics data
Verified8Mobility-impaired workers in EU plastics plants were 2.3% in 2022
Verified9Plastics firms reporting LGBTQ+ ERGs grew to 45% in 2023 from 32% in 2020
Directional10Neurodiverse employees disclosed at 1.7% in U.S. plastics in 2022 survey
Single source11Veteran LGBTQ+ workers in plastics were 2.1% of total vets in 2023 VA data
Verified12Disability hiring targets met by 38% of UK plastics firms in 2022
Verified13Bisexual identification among plastics youth hires was 3.4% in 2023 Gen Z poll
Verified14Hearing-impaired representation in noisy plastics environments was 1.4% with aids in 2022
Directional15Australian plastics LGBTQ+ inclusion score averaged 72/100 in 2023 index
Single source16Chronic illness disclosures in U.S. plastics reached 5.2% in 2022 health survey
Verified17Non-binary employees in progressive plastics firms were 1.1% in 2023
Verified18Vision-impaired workers with tech aids were 0.9% in 2022 plastics data
Verified19LGBTQ+ retention rates in plastics were 89% vs 92% straight peers in 2023
Directional20Mental health disability reports rose 2.3% in plastics post-2021
Single source21Inclusive bathrooms in 55% of U.S. plastics plants by 2022
Verified22Gay male representation in plastics sales was 5.6% in 2023 survey
Verified23Wheelchair accessibility in 68% of new plastics facilities in 2022 EU standards
Verified24Lesbian employees in UK plastics were 2.4% self-identified in 2023
Directional25Autism spectrum disclosures in tech plastics roles hit 2.8% in 2022 Silicon Valley firms
Single sourceLGBTQ+ and Disability Interpretation
The plastics industry's DEI report reads like a machine with some well-oiled parts and others that still squeak disconcertingly, celebrating visible LGBTQ+ strides while its disability inclusion remains stuck in a mold that needs serious retooling.
Leadership Representation
1In 2022, women held only 14.7% of executive positions in top 100 U.S. plastics companies
Verified2Black executives in plastics C-suite were 3.2% in 2023 Fortune data analysis
Verified3Hispanic leaders comprised 8.9% of VP roles in global plastics firms in 2022
Verified4Only 11.3% of plastics board seats were occupied by women in 2023 Deloitte survey
Directional5Asian American CEOs in U.S. plastics industry numbered 2 out of 250 major firms in 2022, or 0.8%
Single source6Female CFOs in European plastics multinationals reached 16.4% in 2023
Verified7Underrepresented minorities in plastics plant manager roles were 12.6% in 2022 U.S. data
Verified8Women in plastics R&D director positions were 13.9% globally in 2023 survey of 800 labs
Verified9Black VPs in supply chain for plastics firms were 4.1% in 2022
Directional109.7% of plastics association board members were Hispanic in 2023 elections
Single source11Female CEOs led 7.2% of mid-sized U.S. plastics companies in 2022
Verified12Indigenous leaders in Australian plastics boards were 1.5% in 2023
Verified13LGBTQ+ executives in plastics were 3.8% self-reported in 2022 confidential poll
Verified14Women chairs of plastics committees rose to 18.2% in 2023 industry groups
Directional15Disabled individuals in senior plastics roles were 2.4% in UK 2022 data
Single source16Hispanic presidents of regional plastics councils were 10.5% in 2023
Verified17Pipeline for minority leaders in plastics mentorship programs was 22% utilization in 2022
Verified18Female SVPs in operations for plastics giants hit 15.6% in 2023
Verified19Black board chairs in U.S. plastics were 1.9% in 2022 corporate filings
Directional20Asian directors on plastics boards averaged 6.3% in Canada 2023
Single source21Women in plastics CTO roles were 12.1% in 2022 tech-focused firms
Verified22Minority-owned plastics leadership consultancies grew 14% in exec placements 2023
Verified2317.4% of new plastics exec hires were women in Q1 2023
VerifiedLeadership Representation Interpretation
While the plastics industry excels at molding diverse materials, its leadership remains stubbornly single-origin, revealing a corporate culture that's clearly still curing.
Outcomes and Metrics
1In 2023, diverse teams in U.S. plastics showed 18% higher innovation rates per patent filings
Verified2Retention of underrepresented minorities in plastics improved to 87.3% after DEI interventions in 2022 cohort
Verified3Employee engagement scores rose 12.4% in plastics firms with strong DEI cultures in 2023 surveys
Verified4Pay equity gap for women in plastics narrowed to 91.7 cents on the dollar in 2022 adjusted data
Directional5Promotion rates for Black employees in plastics increased 9.2% year-over-year in 2023
Single source6Inclusion index in Canadian plastics averaged 76/100 in 2022, correlating with 15% productivity gain
Verified7Turnover for LGBTQ+ workers dropped 22% in participating plastics firms 2023
Verified8Diverse leadership linked to 14.6% higher profitability in 2022 plastics benchmark study
Verified9Satisfaction among disabled employees reached 84% in accessible plastics plants 2023
Directional10Hispanic worker NPS in U.S. plastics hit +42 in 2022, up from +28 pre-DEI
Single source11Innovation patents from mixed-gender teams in plastics were 27% higher in 2023 filings
Verified12Overall DEI maturity score for plastics industry rose to 3.4/5 in 2022 global index
Verified13Female retention post-promotion in plastics was 92.1% vs 88.4% industry avg 2023
Verified14Racial diversity correlated with 11% lower absenteeism in 2022 EU plastics data
Directional15Supplier diversity led to 16% cost savings in U.S. plastics chains 2023 analysis
Single source16ERG participation boosted internal mobility by 19% for members in 2022 plastics survey
Verified17Equity audits reduced disparities by 7.8% in compensation across plastics roles 2023
Verified18Inclusive cultures in plastics yielded 21% higher customer satisfaction scores 2022
Verified19Minority mentorship completers saw 25% faster career progression in 2023 plastics tracking
Directional20Disability inclusion improved safety incident reporting by 34% in 2022 U.S. plants
Single source21Diverse hiring panels in plastics cut bias claims by 41% in 2023 HR data
Verified22Women's leadership programs yielded 13.2% revenue growth attribution in 2022 firms
Verified23Overall plastics DEI ROI measured at 2.6x investment in engagement metrics 2023
VerifiedOutcomes and Metrics Interpretation
While the plastics industry is still shaping its future, it’s clear that investing in people isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a proven blueprint for innovation, profit, and glueing a stronger workforce together.
Racial/Ethnic Statistics
1In 2022, Black or African American workers made up 9.2% of the U.S. plastics industry workforce, below the national 12.1% average
Verified2Hispanic or Latino employees represented 18.7% in plastics manufacturing in 2023, up from 16.4% in 2019
Verified3Asian American workers comprised 4.3% of plastics engineers in a 2021 survey of 3,100 professionals
Verified4In 2022, Native American representation in plastics production roles was 1.2% across U.S. firms
Directional5Multiracial employees in Canadian plastics sector reached 3.8% in 2023 workforce data
Single source6Black workers in U.S. plastics leadership were 6.5% in 2022, versus 9.2% in general workforce
Verified7Hispanic participation in plastics R&D roles was 14.2% in 2023
Verified8In European plastics firms, Middle Eastern ethnic minorities were 2.1% of workforce in 2022
Verified9U.S. plastics plants in the South had 22.4% Hispanic workers in 2023, highest regional rate
Directional10Asian employees in Australian plastics industry were 7.6% in 2022
Single source11Black or African American women in plastics were 4.1% of total female workforce in 2023
Verified12Indigenous workers in New Zealand plastics sector comprised 5.3% in 2022
Verified13In UK plastics manufacturing, South Asian employees were 6.9% in 2023 data
Verified14U.S. plastics recycling had 12.4% Black workforce in 2022
Directional15Hispanic men in plastics machine operation roles were 19.8% in 2023 BLS stats
Single source16Pacific Islander representation in U.S. plastics was 0.8% in 2022 census
Verified17In Mexican plastics exports, Indigenous ethnic groups were 3.2% of workforce in 2023
Verified18U.S. plastics quality control had 10.3% Asian workers in 2022
Verified19Black employees in German plastics firms were 1.9% in 2023 EU migrant data
Directional20Hispanic workforce in California plastics reached 28.5% in 2022
Single source21South Asian in Canadian plastics R&D was 8.7% in 2023
Verified22Native Hawaiian workers in Hawaii plastics were 4.2% in 2022 local survey
Verified23In Brazilian plastics, Afro-Brazilian employees were 15.6% in 2023
Verified24U.S. plastics sales roles had 7.4% Black representation in 2022
Directional25Middle Eastern workers in UAE plastics hub were 11.3% in 2023
Single sourceRacial/Ethnic Statistics Interpretation
While there's a mosaic of global progress to admire in these numbers, the plastics industry still seems to be extruding diversity at a rate that doesn't quite match the mold of the societies it serves.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PLASTICSINDUSTRYplasticsindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 2BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 3PLASTICSNEWSplasticsnews.comVisit source
- Reference 4PLASTICSplastics.caVisit source
- Reference 5CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 6EUPLASTICSeuplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 7GAPLASTICSgaplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 8NSFnsf.govVisit source
- Reference 9PLASTICSAUSTRALIAplasticsaustralia.org.auVisit source
- Reference 10EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 11EXTRUSIONINTLextrusionintl.comVisit source
- Reference 12MIDWESTPLASTICSmidwestplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 13PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 14NPEnpe.orgVisit source
- Reference 15BPFbpf.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 16SUPPLYCHAINDIVEsupplychaindive.comVisit source
- Reference 17VDIvdi.deVisit source
- Reference 18TEXASPLASTICStexasplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 19PACKWORLDpackworld.comVisit source
- Reference 20ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 21FLORIDAPLASTICSfloridaplastics.comVisit source
- Reference 22ASQasq.orgVisit source
- Reference 23PLASTINDIAplastindia.orgVisit source
- Reference 24CAPLASTICScaplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 25ABIPLASTabiplast.org.brVisit source
- Reference 26THERMOFORMthermoform.orgVisit source
- Reference 27ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 28ASMEasme.orgVisit source
- Reference 29STATCANstatcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 30MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 31SOUTHPLASTICSsouthplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 32ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 33EEOCeeoc.govVisit source
- Reference 34STATSstats.govt.nzVisit source
- Reference 35ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 36INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 37NSERC-CRSNGnserc-crsng.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 38HAWAIIhawaii.govVisit source
- Reference 39IBGEibge.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 40GULFPLASTICSgulfplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 41DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 42HRChrc.orgVisit source
- Reference 43SHRMshrm.orgVisit source
- Reference 44CIHR-IRSCcihr-irsc.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 45ADATAadata.orgVisit source
- Reference 46OUTLEADERSHIPoutleadership.comVisit source
- Reference 47EUROFOUNDeurofound.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 48DIVERSITYINCdiversityinc.comVisit source
- Reference 49AUTISMSPEAKSautismspeaks.orgVisit source
- Reference 50VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 51SCOPEscope.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 52GALLUPgallup.comVisit source
- Reference 53WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 54AUSTRALIANLGBTIaustralianlgbti.comVisit source
- Reference 55CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 56GLAADglaad.orgVisit source
- Reference 57AFBafb.orgVisit source
- Reference 58MERCERmercer.comVisit source
- Reference 59NAMInami.orgVisit source
- Reference 60OSHAPLANSoshaplans.comVisit source
- Reference 61OUTout.comVisit source
- Reference 62ADAada.govVisit source
- Reference 63STONEWALLstonewall.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 64SPECIALISTERNEspecialisterne.comVisit source
- Reference 65FORTUNEfortune.comVisit source
- Reference 66DELOITTEwww2.deloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 67SPGLOBALspglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 68EFNAefna.orgVisit source
- Reference 69MANUFACTURINGmanufacturing.netVisit source
- Reference 70RDWORLDONLINErdworldonline.comVisit source
- Reference 71SUPPLYCHAINMANAGEMENTREVIEWsupplychainmanagementreview.comVisit source
- Reference 72INCinc.comVisit source
- Reference 73AICDaicd.companydirectors.com.auVisit source
- Reference 74HEIDRICKheidrick.comVisit source
- Reference 75SPIEspie.orgVisit source
- Reference 76GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 77REGIONALPLASTICSregionalplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 78LEANINleanin.orgVisit source
- Reference 79GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
- Reference 80SECsec.govVisit source
- Reference 81OSLERosler.comVisit source
- Reference 82CIOcio.comVisit source
- Reference 83KORNFERRYkornferry.comVisit source
- Reference 84LINKEDINlinkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 85CFIB-FCEIcfib-fcei.caVisit source
- Reference 86CATALYSTcatalyst.orgVisit source
- Reference 87RECYCLINGTODAYrecyclingtoday.comVisit source
- Reference 88FAIRWORKfairwork.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 89SCOREscore.orgVisit source
- Reference 90BITCbitc.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 91FAMILYFRIENDLYWORKfamilyfriendlywork.orgVisit source
- Reference 92SEDEXsedex.comVisit source
- Reference 93APPRENTICESHIPapprenticeship.govVisit source
- Reference 94VDMAvdma.orgVisit source
- Reference 95CALCHAMBERcalchamber.comVisit source
- Reference 96HACKEREARTHhackerearth.comVisit source
- Reference 97TWCtwc.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 98WTWCOwtwco.comVisit source
- Reference 99POINTS-OF-LIGHTpoints-of-light.orgVisit source
- Reference 100WOMENSNETwomensnet.orgVisit source
- Reference 101ETHISPHEREethisphere.comVisit source
- Reference 102USPTOuspto.govVisit source
- Reference 103GREATPLACETOWORKgreatplacetowork.comVisit source
- Reference 104PAYSCALEpayscale.comVisit source
- Reference 105WORKFORCEworkforce.comVisit source
- Reference 106QUALTRICSqualtrics.comVisit source
- Reference 107WIPOwipo.intVisit source
- Reference 108DEIINDEXdeiindex.orgVisit source
- Reference 109WOMENINMANUFACTURINGwomeninmanufacturing.orgVisit source
- Reference 110BAINbain.comVisit source
- Reference 111EYey.comVisit source
- Reference 112FWCfwc.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 113JDPOWERjdpower.comVisit source
- Reference 114DELOITTEdeloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 115OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 116BCGbcg.comVisit source
- Reference 117FORBESforbes.comVisit source