Resin Pricing

Many processors tapped the spot market, fearing that this would be their last chance at these stellar prices. Others decided to wait, not because of price, but rather uncertainty regarding future business.

Strong export demand, more stability in energy and feedstock costs, shuttered facilities reopening, and fresh opportunities to reshore manufacturing put a bounce in buyers’ and sellers’ steps.

Trade flow from both buyers and sellers was fluid last week and transacted volumes rivaled the average tally seen during the strong first quarter of 2020, reports the PlasticsExchange in its Market Update.

A $0.01/lb spot increase for most commodity-grade polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) resins last week was a small, yet meaningful, uptick compared to the much larger decline seen over the past couple of months, notes the PlasticsExchange.

Dow announced last week that it will idle three polyethylene plants for at least one month to help balance against lower demand and diminishing storage space. The PlasticsExchange expects other producers to follow suit.

Aside from worldwide resin demand taking a huge coronavirus hit, the loss of easily exporting incremental pounds from North America probably will require the short term rationing of resin production, perhaps even the shutdown of some crackers and...

Most participants recognize that these prices will create an excellent opportunity to stock up, but also that there is probably still time as resin prices continue to slide.

Spot polyethylene (PE) prices were steady to a penny lower last week, while polypropylene prices firmed a cent based on higher propylene monomer costs, reports the PlasticsExchange in its Market Update.

Spot commodity resin prices remained under pressure last week: Some polyethylene grades saw losses of $0.02/lb and polypropylene also took a 2-cent hit, according to the PlasticsExchange.

While there was a good flow of both buy and sell inquiries, processors were generally apprehensive to pull the trigger, and, ultimately, the completed volumes were less than average. PE prices are expected to slide over the coming months.