Dow Inc. said June 26 that it has left the Plastics Industry Association, one of the sector's two main trade organizations in Washington.
Midland, Mich.-based Dow did not say why it left, but the departure comes after several large consumer product makers, including Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc., left the association in the last two years. Those companies left following pressure from environmental groups over plastics waste issues, although there's no indication that played a role in Dow's decision.
"Dow did not renew its formal membership with [the] Plastics Industry Association this year, as we seek to focus our time and investments with a variety of other plastics industry supply chain relationships," the company said in an email. "We will continue to collaborate with the organization and its members on certain initiatives, and, as we do with all memberships, will reevaluate our various memberships annually."
When Coke left the plastics group last year, it said it withdrew over differences in policy positions. Environmental groups had pressured brand owners over industry lobbying campaigns in support of state laws that overruled local plastics bans, among other policies. SC Johnson & Son Inc. blamed the policy on bans for its 2019 decision to leave the association.
Tony Radoszewski, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, said in a statement that the group looked forward to renewing its partnership with Dow.
“In the coming months, there will be many opportunities to work together to address pandemic relief and recovery, develop recycling solutions, and promote our innovative industry," Radoszewski said. "Plastics members are critical in the fight against COVID-19 and will also be instrumental in growing the economy and creating jobs, as the country safely re-emerges."