So, with the start of the new year and the settling of the resin market's tumultuous pricing created by the hurricane activity in the fall, we are back at posting the Plastic Exchange resin market updates (at least semi-regularly).  This update has a chart highlighting the volatile nature of resin pricing over the course of the year with starting and ending prices falling within a few cents of each other based on grade.  The expectation going forward will be for continued price erosion as more of the new NA production capacity continues to hit the market.   Should be another interesting year.  See update here.

Resin continues to be difficult to source in the aftermath of Harvey's devastating impact in the Houston area.  PE pricing continues to rise as a result, adding $0.03/lb initially with another $0.04/lb announced.  Until normal operations resume at gulf area producers, resin availability and pricing will be uncertain.  See the Plastics Exchange update here.

Plastics News article concerning PE markets, 9/5/17 - 
​See article here

PetroChemWire  update on gulf plant closures, etc, updated daily - 
See update here

Per the Plastics Exchange, PE resin sales finished the month strong and continued to show strength through the July 4th holiday week. Perhaps buoyed by strengthening sales, some resin producers  have nominated a $0.03/lb increase for August in spite of apparently ample supply and lackluster exports.  Will be interesting to see if support firms up for this next increase.  See full update here.

ExxonMobil updated March PE increase letter with revised implementation dates.
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There appears to be some difficulty determining where PE resin prices go in the foreseeable future.  Producers were able to implement their full $0.05/lb increase this past month and have another increase on the table, but other indicators such as lower monomer prices, uneven export demand and less than robust spot demand seems to suggest an uncertain path forward for PE pricing.  See full update here.

Per the Plastics Exchange - January PE contracts were mostly steady, but there is growing likelihood that the $.05/lb price increase nominated for Feb will be implemented. Jan PP contracts jumped $.10/lb on average and will rise $.06-.08/ lb again in Feb, as producers seek to pass along the imminent increase in their Feb PGP monomer costs.   See full update here.

IHS Chemical Week article - 'During 2016-2018, global polyethylene capacity will grow much faster than demand, driving down prices and margins, particularly for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), according to Nick Vafiadis, global business director at IHS Chemical. “At least on paper, we’re looking at what could be a historic level of overbuild, assuming people keep to the start-up schedule we currently anticipate,” he said Thursday at the Global Plastics Summit 2016 in Chicago....'  For access to article click here.

PE and PP transactions appear to be fairly active to start the month according to the Plastics Exchange.  See full update here.

Per the Plastics Exchange - 'Polyethylene demand was good from both the processor and reseller sectors. Polypropylene buyers were mostly just out looking for special deals and they seemed patient. Spot resin prices were firmer; Polyethylene saw gains of $.005-.015/lb depending on grade. Polypropylene prices were mixed; Generic Prime gained a penny, while export and offgrade prices were pressured.'  See update here.