US processors seeing growth, optimism for 2021, according to MAPP survey Amy Steinhauser/MAPP Senior executives at U.S. plastics processors are seeing improving financial results and feeling optimistic about the future, according to a recent survey by the Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors. The most important reason for optimism: a belief that COVID-19 vaccinations will open up the economy and consumer spending. MAPP Executive Director Troy Nix presented the findings in a Jan. 22 webinar. "When I was coming into this data and the analysis of this data, I was very, very cautious. But I will tell you that the deeper that I got into the data, the more optimistic I became. And not only about the momentum from the third to the fourth [quarter of 2020], but also about first-quarter forecasts and basically what we're looking at in terms of anticipation for 2021," Nix said.