The Plastics Exchange has published a more detailed review of market conditions in this week's update.  See update here.

The Plastics Exchange is encouraging us to read this update because as they put it '..it's a good one!'.  See update here.

Little change in the PE resin market.  Ample supply and low feedstock costs maintain pressure for lower prices. See update here.

The R&D Tax Credit was recently made permanent—one of the better "gifts" a bi-partisan Congress has given manufacturing.  You don't need to have a formal R&D department to qualify for R&D tax credits.  For example, if you are improving a product or process, that qualifies.  See Plastics Today article here.

Great news for Fabricators looking to purchase equipment in the next few years, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 was passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law on Dec. 18, 2015. Consequently, as of Jan. 1, 2016, manufacturers get yet another gift in the form of the expansion of Section 179 deduction limit to $500,000.  See article in Plastics Today here.

Materials giants Dow Chemical Co. and LyondellBasell Industries posted mixed results in 2015, with sales down but profits up at both firms.  See Plastics News article here.

Little has changed in the PE market.  Low feedstock costs and abundant inventories led to further price erosion on contracted purchases.  See update here.