Plastics are ubiquitous. From packaging to household goods to building materials to automotive components, there are seemingly no limits to where plastics are found in our day-to-day lives.
With so much demand, there is a large number of public companies focused on plastics from which investors can choose. It’s a massive market opportunity: Global total plastic sales were estimated at $628 billion in 2023, and the market is forecast to grow at a compound annualized rate of 4.2% through 2030.
Investors can select from companies that make the raw ingredients that go into plastics, companies that make the end products we use as consumers, and a few that do a bit of both. Here’s a look at some of the top names in plastics for investors to consider.
Top plastics stocks to invest in for 2025
Top plastics stocks to invest in for 2025
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) | $477 billion | 3.54% | Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels |
| Dow (NYSE:DOW) | $16 billion | 10.63% | Chemicals |
| LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) | $16 billion | 11.19% | Chemicals |
| Amcor Plc (NYSE:AMCR) | $19 billion | 6.23% | Containers and Packaging |
| AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR) | $9 billion | 1.34% | Containers and Packaging |
| Trinseo Plc (NYSE:TSE) | $81 million | 1.78% | Chemicals |
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1. ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil (XOM -0.63%) is best known as an oil and gas company, but it is also a major producer of specialized polypropylene, a raw material that goes into plastics. Propylene is a molecule that is produced as part of the oil-refining process, making this a natural offshoot of ExxonMobil’s core business.
ExxonMobil significantly boosted its production of polypropylene in 2020 in response to the need for more masks and medical supplies to support the COVID-19 pandemic response.
This company is very much entrenched in the fossil fuel energy economy, but plastics offer some diversification from the oil giant's core petroleum offerings.
2. Dow
Today’s Dow (DOW 0.5%) is the product of a megamerger between DuPont (DD 0.44%) and legacy Dow Chemical that resulted in the two companies combining similar businesses and then splitting off into three more focused companies. While DuPont still has some plastic operations, Dow is the pick for this list.
Dow makes a range of plastics, adhesives, sealants, and additives used in building, automotive, personal care, packaging, and industrial end markets. Investors get this plastics business housed within a massive and diversified materials sciences portfolio that generated $42.9 billion in net sales in 2024.
3. LyondellBasell Industries
Lyondell (LYB -1.32%) is a Dutch multinational chemicals company that ranks as the largest licensor of technologies to produce not just polypropylene but also polyethylene, two of the basic building blocks that go into making plastic goods.
LyondellBasell is a cash-generation machine and has a history of returning that cash to shareholders through dividends. The company can get caught up in cyclical demand for chemicals, which tends to ebb during periods of economic uncertainty. Still, this is a diversified business that should be able to grow with increasing global demand and provide a steady source of income for your portfolio.
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4. Amcor
Amcor (AMCR 0.18%) is a global manufacturer of packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, and personal care products. The company generated $13.6 billion in sales in 2024 from 212 production sites in 40 countries.
Amcor, formed in the 1860s as Australian Paper Manufacturers, has continuously evolved over the years. It sold its paper goods operations in 2000 and followed that with a series of deals that included the $7 billion purchase of Bemis in 2019 and an $8.4 billion merger with Berry Global to establish itself as a global leader in packaging. Amcor today trades both on the New York and Australian stock exchanges.
5. AptarGroup
AptarGroup (ATR 0.32%) has a range of businesses supplying packaging for the pharmaceutical, household, industrial, and food markets, but it is best known for its fragrance, cosmetics, and personal care products and its lineup of patent-protected specialty pumps, valves, and dispensing closures that those sectors require. The company has about $3.5 billion in annualized sales.
Aptar has a global presence, generating about half of its revenue in Europe and 33% in North America. The company has completed almost two dozen acquisitions, investments, and partnerships since 2016 to expand its reach and broaden its portfolio.
6. Trinseo
Trinseo (TSE -4.25%) was spun out of Dow Chemical in 2009 before Dow’s rebirth via the DuPont megamerger. The company’s plastic, latex, and synthetic rubber products are used mostly in industrial applications, including automobiles, appliances, consumer goods, medical supplies, and construction.
Trinseo was private equity-owned until 2014, and the company still flies largely under the radar compared to some of its larger plastics peers. But in a world where industrial products manufacturers are increasingly demanding sturdy but lightweight components, many of Trinseo’s plastics should see strong growth in the years to come.
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How to invest
How to invest in plastics stocks
Here is how to invest in plastics stocks:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Should you invest?
Are plastic stocks right for you?
Environmentalists criticize plastics due to concerns about the fossil fuel-intensive production process and the long time it takes for plastics to degrade, but there are no good alternatives for many applications. All of the companies on this list are exploring how to manufacture plastics from more environmentally friendly sources and create products that degrade faster when possible. Despite the concerns, plastic demand should continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
Plastics aren’t likely to match other stock sectors, such as tech, in terms of massive growth potential, but these companies should be reliable performers selling into stable and growing markets that can provide ballast in a tech-heavy portfolio.
FAQ
Plastics stocks FAQ
What is the largest market for plastics today?
The packaging sector is the largest user of plastics today.
Who is the largest plastic manufacturer in the U.S.?
Dow is the largest manufacturer of plastics in the United States.
Which plastic company share is best?
There is no one perfect stock for all buyers. Those who are looking for a business that is primarily focused on plastic might pick Dow. But those who would like more diversification would likely prefer ExxonMobil, which has a large plastics business in addition to its oil and gas operations.
How profitable is the plastic industry?
Profitability can vary based on demand, but overall plastics is not a high-margin sector. Profitability in the sector is impacted by factors including raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, and increasing environmental regulations, which can increase operating costs.
Are plastic stocks a good long-term investment?
Plastics are in demand from a wide range of industries, providing some predictability. This is not a sector known for high growth, but plastics can be a good long-term investment for those seeking a combination of modest growth and income.
