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Prices Rise As Leaves Fall

After a mid-summer respite from price increases in commodity resins—with some prices actually declining—processors face rising prices again heading into fall.

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After a mid-summer respite from price increases in commodity resins—with some prices actually declining—processors face rising prices again heading into fall. Materials suppliers attribute the turnaround to similar behavior in monomer costs.

 

PE prices on the way up

Polyethylene prices remained flat through July, and suppliers held back on implementing their July 1 price hikes of 7¢/lb. However, resin makers appeared resolved to push through this hike in August as well as another 5¢ increase announced for Aug. 1.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) September short-term futures contract on butene LLDPE for blown film is 60.3¢/lb, up from August’s 55.5¢.

Contributing factors: Suppliers attribute their intent to firm up prices to the continued rise of feedstock and energy costs to levels comparable to or higher than historic peak prices. Ethylene monomer contracts for July settled 2¢/lb higher, but increases of 7¢ to 8¢/lb were sought for August contracts. “This has resulted in margins that are squeezed between ethylene and polyethylene,” said one supplier.”

Meanwhile, PE resin inventories remain tight. High summer temperatures and associated power outages have slowed resin production by 5% to 10%, according to some industry sources.

 

PP turning upward again

Polypropylene prices dropped by 1.5¢ to 2¢/lb during July. Nonetheless, suppliers announced a price increase of 4¢/lb for Aug. 1. Meanwhile, LME’s September short-term futures contract for g-p injection-grade homopolymer moved up to 60.5¢/lb from August’s 55.1¢/lb.

Contributing factors: Resin prices dropped when propylene monomer contract prices for July fell by 4¢/lb. However, in August, monomer prices were set to rebound by the same 4¢. PP suppliers are now aiming to firm up resin prices before margins are squeezed further. Adds one major supplier, “Resin demand is a bit better than we had anticipated for summer months.”

 

PVC: 2¢ hike expected

It has been an unusual year so far for PVC resin: There was no spring bump in demand, and prices actually fell 2¢ in March. Suppliers attempted to get the 2¢ back in May but had to put it off. Last month, PVC producers lined up firmly behind implementing that hike on Aug. 1. What’s more, Formosa, OxyChem and Georgia Gulf announced another 2¢ increase for Sept. 1.

Contributing factors: Price stability for PVC is rare, but it persisted for four months, even as demand improved slightly each month. Window profile demand last month was satisfactory, and pipe was strong, but siding was weak.

 

PS hikes: 9¢ now pending

After raising prices a total of 9¢ in May through July, polystyrene producers tried unsuccessfully for an additional 4¢ dated July 10. They delayed that hike first to Aug. 1 then to Aug. 15. As of mid August, Dow, Ineos, and Chevron all posted an additional 5¢ for Sept. 1. At press time, Nova had not been heard from.

Contributing factors: Recent price increases have all been driven by feedstock costs, not demand. PS markets for the first half of 2006 were down 1.9%, according to the American Plastics Council. Meanwhile, benzene contract prices rose from $3.30/gal in June to $3.87 in July and slipped back to $3.72 in August. Mid-August spot benzene was $3.80 to $3.90/gal.

 

Nylon and MDI prices up

Rhodia lifted tabs on its Technyl nylon 6 and 66 compounds by approximately 7¢/lb as of Sept. 1.

BASF Corp. issued a 10¢/lb increase on MDI products for rigid PUR foams, effective Aug. 1. 

 

 

Market Prices Effective Mid-August A
 
 RESIN GRADEb¢/LB¢/CU INc 

 ABS 

  

  
 
 MED IMPACT   80 - 90     3.0 - 3.4    
 HI IMPACT   85 - 125     3.2 - 4.7    
 X-HI IMPACT   95 - 140     3.6 - 5.3    
 HI HEAT   85 - 110     3.8    
 PIPE   85 - 110     3.2 - 4.1    
 SHEET   90 - 110     3.4 - 4.2    
 TRANSPARENT   125 - 165     4.9 - 6.4    
 FITTINGS   85 - 115     3.2 - 4.3    
 PLATING   95 - 105     3.5 - 3.9    
 FLAME RET   120 - 140     4.6 - 5.9    
 STRUCT FM   83 - 97     3.6 - 4.3    
 10% GLASS   125 - 140     5.0 - 5.6    
 30% GLASS   116 - 136     5.3 - 6.3    
 ABS/PC ALLOY   145 - 180     5.5 - 6.8    
 ABS/PVC ALLOY   130 - 135     5.8 - 6.1    
 ABS/NYLON ALLOY   190     7.3    


 ACETAL 

  

  
 
 HOMOPOL   148 - 165     7.5 - 8.4    
 20% GLASS   168 - 228     8.5 - 11.5    
 COPOLYMER   141 - 153     7.1 - 7.7    
 25% GLASS   168 - 240     8.5 - 12    


 ACRYLIC 

  

  
 
 G-P   117     5.0    
 IMPACT   192     8.2    


 ACRYLONITRILE COPOL 

  

  
 
 EXTRUSION   101 - 116     4.0 - 4.6    
 INJECTION   120 - 135     4.8 - 5.4    


 ALKYD 

65 - 74   

4.9 - 5.5   
 


 CELLULOSICS 

  

  
 
 ACETATE   187     8.6    
 CAB   189     8.2    
 CAP   189     8.2    


 DAP (G-P) 

251 - 497   

16.7 - 34.7   
 


 EPOXY 

  

  
 
 G-P RESIN   116 - 126     NAd    
 COMPOUNDS          
 C/B/Te   123 - 166     9.4 - 12.9    
 R/C/Df   208 - 271     15.3 - 20.1    
 SEMICONDUCTOR          
 NOVOLAC   193 - 228     13.1 - 15.9    
 ANHYDRIDE   188 - 268     13.9 - 19.2    


 EVA 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   46 - 52     1.5 - 1.7    
 FILM EXTRU   42 - 49     1.4 - 1.6    


 EVOH 

265   

11.3   
 


 FLUORO-POLYMER 

  

  
 
 CTFE   2500 - 5500    193 - 424    
 ECTFE   1470 - 1680    93.1 - 107.7   
 ETFE   1155 - 1680    70.7 - 102.8   
 FEP   971 - 1470     74.8 - 113.2   
 PFA   1785 - 2520    134.9 - 190.5    
 PTFE   450 - 900     34.8 - 69.7    
 PVDF   680 - 900     43.3 - 57.3    


 IONOMER 

  

  
 
 PACKAGING   127 - 166     4.3 - 6.0    
 INDUSTRIAL   150 - 244     5.0 - 8.3    


 LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS 

  

  
 
 INJECTION MIN FILLED   690 - 1035     44.2 - 72.1    
 GLASS FILLED   695 - 895     40 - 52    
 CARBON FILLED   1700 - 2000    83.2 - 138.6   
 UNFILLED   1000 - 1200    58 - 70    
 EXTRUSION UNFILLED   1200 - 2200    60.5 - 110.9   


 MELAMINE COMPOUND 

90 - 94   

5.5 - 5.6   
 


 MELAMINE/PHENOLIC COMPOUND 

75 - 83   

4.5 - 5.0   
 


 NYLON 

  

  
 
 TYPE 6   139 - 159     5.7 - 6.5    
 MIN FILLED   131 - 144     5.4 - 5.9    
 30% GLASS   148 - 173     6.0 - 7.0    
 TYPE 66   153 - 168     6.3 - 6.9    
 MIN FILLED   151 - 159     6.2 - 6.5    
 30% GLASS   142 - 192     5.8 - 7.9    
 TYPE 69   250 - 276     9.7 - 10.7    
 TYPE 6/10   286 - 313     12.4 - 13.6    
 TYPE 612   400     15.3    
 30% GLASS   309 - 311     14.7    
 40% GLASS   309     14.7    
 TYPE 46   295     12.6    
 TYPE 11   329 - 341     13.6 - 14.1    
 30% GLASS   331 - 350     15.0 - 15.8    
 40% GLASS   347 - 360     17.7 - 18.5    
 TYPE 12   318 - 341     12.1 - 13.0    
 30% GLASS   327 - 350     14.7 - 15.8    
 50% GLASS   299 - 340     15.6 - 17.8    
 TRANSPARENT AMORPHOUS   247 - 360     10.3 - 15.0    


 PHENOLIC MOLD COMP 

75   

3.8   
 
 REINFORCED GRADES   105 - 268     6.1 - 16    


 POLYAMIDE-IMIDEg 

  

  
 
 UNFILLED   2750     148.5    
 30% GLASS   2500     135    
 30% CARBON FIB.   3500     185    


 POLYARYLATE 

200 - 280   

8.8 - 12.3   
 


 POLYARYL SULFONE 

440   

21.8   
 


 POLYBUTYLENE 

  

  
 
 G-P   94 - 96     3.1    
 FILM   88 - 91     2.9    
 PIPE          
 COLD WATER   116 - 120     3.9 - 4.0    
 HOT WATER   162 - 166     5.5 - 5.6    


 POLYCARBONATE 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   138 - 165     5.9 - 7.0    
 20% GLASS   177 - 190     7.6 - 8.2    
 30% GLASS   178 - 217     7.6 - 9.3    
 EXTRUSION   145 - 180     6.3 - 7.8    
 BLOW MOLD   155 - 190     6.7 - 8.2    
 STRUCT FOAM   149 - 181     6.4 - 7.8    
 20% GLASS   235 - 255     10.1 - 11.0    
 FR   166 - 197     7.1 - 8.5    
 CD   140 - 200     6.0 - 8.6    


 POLYESTER (TP) PBT TYPE 

  

  
 
 UNFILLED   143 - 150     6.9    
 HI-IMP   154 - 165     7.6    
 30% GLASS, FR   185 - 207     11.9    
 STRUCT FOAM   159 - 165     NAd    


 PET 

  

  
 
 BOTTLE (RAILCAR)   86 - 91     4.3 - 4.6    
 MOD PET          
 30% GLASS   132 - 143     7.4    
 55% GLASS   148 - 155     9.8    
 30% GLASS FLAME RET   147 - 157     9.2    
 PETG COPOL   114 - 124     5.2 - 5.6    
 RESIN GRADEb¢/LB¢/CU INc 


 POLYESTER THERMOSET 

  

  
 
 G-P ORTHO   140 - 145     NAd    
 ISOPHTHALIC   165 - 175     NAd    
 BIS-A   210 - 215     NAd    


 PEEK 

4400   

231   
 
 30% GLASS   3300     173    


 POLYETHERIMIDE 

641 - 646   

29.3 - 29.5   
 
 30% GLASS   526 - 531     24.0 - 24.2    


 POLYETHERKETONE (PEK) 

2950   

130.1   
 
 30% GLASS   2600     153    


 POLYETHERSULFONE 

350 - 400   

17.2 - 19.7   
 
 30% GLASS   425 - 525     21 - 25.9    


 POLYETHYLENE (RAILCAR) LDPE 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING & EXTRU   89 - 91     2.9 - 3.0    
 INJECTION   91 - 93     3.0 - 3.1    
 LID RESIN   92 - 94     3.1    
 LINER   87 - 89     2.9    
 CLARITY   84 - 86     2.8    
 EXTRU COATG   88 - 90     2.9 - 3.0    
 BLOW MOLD   92 - 94     3.1    


 LLDPE, BUTENE BASED 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING   76 - 78     2.5 - 2.6    
 LME 30-DAYj   60.3 Prices Went Up  
  2.0 Prices Went Up  
 
 FILM   78 - 80     2.6    
 ROTOMOLD   80 - 82     2.6 - 2.7    


 LLDPE, HAO-BASED 

  

  
 
 G-P MOLDING   79 - 91     2.6 - 2.7    
 LID RESIN   89 - 91     2.9 - 3.0    
 LINER FILM   83 - 85     2.7 - 2.8    


 HDPE 

  

  
 
 G-P INJ MOLD   76 - 78     2.6 - 2.7    
 FILM   84 - 86     2.8 - 2.9    
 BLOW MOLD   78 - 80     2.7 - 2.8    

 HMW-HDPE 

  

  
 
 BLOW MOLDING   83 - 85     2.8 - 2.9    
 FILM   85 - 87     2.9    
 PIPE   90 - 92     3.1    


 UHMW-PE 

100 - 125   

3.6 - 3.7   
 


 PPE/PPO BASED RESIN 

  

  
 
 INJECTION   180     6.8    
 20% GLASSh   283     12.3    
 30% GLASSh   291     13.3    
 EXTRUSIONh   242     9.2    
 STRUCT FM   231     NAd    


 PPS 

  

  
 
 40% GLASS   357 - 404     21.2 - 24.0    
 55% GLASS/MINERAL   289 - 310     20.8 - 22.3    
 65% GLASS/MINERAL   226 - 273     15.5 - 18.7    


 POLYPROPYLENE (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P HOMOPOL INJECTION   78 - 80 Prices Went Down 
  2.5 - 2.7 Prices Went Down 
 
 LME 30-DAYj   60.2 Prices Went Up  
  2.5 Prices Went Up  
 
 EXTRUSION FIBER   76 - 78 Prices Went Down 
  2.5 Prices Went Down 
 
 PROFILES   82 - 84 Prices Went Down 
  2.7 Prices Went Down 
 
 RANDOM COPOL          
 BLOW MOLDING   83 - 85 Prices Went Down 
  2.7 Prices Went Down 
 
 FILM   82 - 84 Prices Went Down 
  2.7 Prices Went Down 
 
 INJECTION   80 - 82 Prices Went Down 
  2.6 - 2.7 Prices Went Down 
 
 IMPACT COPOL          
 MED IMP   91 - 93 Prices Went Down 
  3.0 Prices Went Down 
 
 HI IMP   94 - 96 Prices Went Down 
  3.0 - 3.1 Prices Went Down 
 


 POLYSTYRENE (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P CRYSTAL   75 - 83 Prices Went Up  
  2.8 - 3.1 Prices Went Up  
 
 HI HEAT   78 - 86 Prices Went Up  
  2.9 - 3.2 Prices Went Up  
 
 HIPS   76 - 83 Prices Went Up  
  2.8 - 3.1 Prices Went Up  
 
 SUPER HI IMP   86 - 92 Prices Went Up  
  3.2 - 3.5 Prices Went Up  
 
 FR   94 - 102 Prices Went Up  
  3.5 - 3.8 Prices Went Up  
 
 STRUCT FM (FR)   105 - 108     NA    


 EPS 

  

  
 
 UNMODIFIED   85 - 88     NAd    
 MODIFIED   86 - 90     NAd    


 POLYSULFONE 

569   

25   
 
 10% GLASS 430 20.6   669     32    
 30% GLASS 372 20.01   609     20    


 POLYURETHANE (TP) 

  

  
 
 ESTER TYPE   185 - 255     8 - 11    
 ETHER TYPE   245 - 295     10.6 - 13    


 PU ISOCYANATES 

  

  
 
 POLYMERIC MDI   118 - 135     NAd    
 80/20 TDI   145 - 155     NAd    


 PVC RESIN (RAILCAR) 

  

  
 
 G-P HOMOPOL   53 - 55     NAd    
 PIPE   50 - 52     NAd    
 FILM   61 - 64     NAd    
 COPOLYMER FLOORING   71 - 73     NAd    
 DISPERSION HOMOPOLY   84 - 90     NAd    
 COPOLYMER   89 - 93     NAd    
 CPVC PIPE COMPOUND   119     NAd    


 PVDC 

  

  
 
 EXTRUDABLE   162     NAd    


 SILICONES 

  

  
 
 MOLD. COMP.   581 - 640     38.1 - 39.3    
 SPECIALTY GR.   891 - 3148    NAd    
 SILICONE/EPOXY   339 - 343     22.5 - 22.8    


 STYRENEACRYLIC 

108 - 112   

3.7 - 4.0   
 


 SAN (G-P) 

66 - 74   

2.5 - 2.8   
 


 STYRENE MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 

  

  
 
 G-P   110 - 115     4.2 - 4.3    
 HI IMP   130 - 140     4.2 - 4.5    
 FR   175 - 183     6.7 - 7.0    


 TP ELASTOMERS 

  

  
 
 OLEFINIC   70 - 76     2.4    
 POLYAMIDE   287 - 337     10.4 - 12.3    
 POLYESTER   200 - 310     8.8 - 13.6    
 STYRENIC   82 - 237     2.9 - 8.3    


 UREA MOLDING COMPOUND 

  

  
 
 BLACK & BROWN   76     3.8    
 WHITE & IVORY   81     4.0    


 VINYL ESTER 

  

  
 
 COR RES   206 - 220     NAd    
 HEAT & COR RES   233     NAd    

KEY: Colored areas indicate pricing activity. An arrow () indicates direction of price change. aTruckload, unless otherwise specified. bUnfilled, natural color, unless otherwise specified. cBased on typical or average density. dNot applicable. eNovolac and anhydride grades for coils, bushings, transformers. fNovolac and anhydride grades for resisitors, capacitors, diodes. gIn quantities of 20,000 lb. h19,800-lb load. jLME 30-day futures contract for lots of 54,564 lb..

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