NAICS 326 - Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing

Industries in the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector make goods by processing plastics materials and raw rubber. The core technology employed by establishments in this subsector is that of plastics or rubber product production. Plastics and rubber are combined in the same subsector because plastics are increasingly being used as a substitute for rubber; however, the subsector is generally restricted to the production of products made of just one material, either solely plastics or rubber.

Many manufacturing activities use plastics or rubber, for example the manufacture of footwear or furniture. Typically, the production process of these products involves more than one material. In these cases, technologies that allow disparate materials to be formed and combined are of central importance in describing the manufacturing activity. In NAICS, such activities (footwear and furniture manufacturing) are not classified in the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector because the core technologies for these activities are diverse and involve multiple materials.

Within the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector, a distinction is made between plastics and rubber products at the industry group level, although it is not a rigid distinction, as can be seen from the definition of Industry 32622, Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing. In the case of hoses and belting, plastics are used as a substitute for rubber, and the distinction in materials is not useful as a basis for establishment classification.

In keeping with the core technology focus of plastics, lamination of plastics film to plastics film as well as the production of bags from plastics only is classified in this subsector. Lamination and bag production involving plastics and materials other than plastics are classified in Subsector 322, Paper Manufacturing.

• Covers manufacturing of products made solely from plastics or rubber materials.
• Includes industry groups that distinguish between plastics and rubber product manufacturing.
• Excludes manufacturing involving multiple materials such as footwear or furniture.
• Encompasses production of items like hoses, belting, plastic film lamination, and bags.
• Establishments use core technologies specific to plastics or rubber product production.
• Small business size standards vary but typically include firms with up to 1,250 employees.

• Manufacturing plastic bags and film laminates from plastics only.
• Producing rubber and plastic hoses, belting, and related products.
• Molding rubber products and components for industrial use.
• Fabricating plastic parts for military and transportation applications.
• Processing raw rubber materials into finished goods.
• Supplying specialized rubber seals and gaskets for government equipment.
• Producing injection-molded plastic components.
• Ensuring compliance with federal material and safety standards.

• Plastic molding companies specializing in custom parts.
• Rubber product manufacturers focusing on hoses and belts.
• Suppliers of plastic packaging and bags for government use.
• Small and medium enterprises engaged in polymer processing.
• Industrial manufacturers producing rubber seals and gaskets.
• Contract manufacturers supporting defense and transportation sectors.