Recycled Polyolefins Close Year Up From Fall Lows

Pledges to incorporate recycled polymer materials did not translate into increased prices for the commodity in 2023, with prices generally falling for all grades and types of reclaimed and reprocessed materials. According to weekly reports from Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), many prices peaked in May/June and fell sharply in August. Prices for polyolefin materials rose somewhat from September through December.

PE scrap prices rose early in the year, fell and then recovered somewhat. Reprocessed PE grades and PP exhibited similar pricing trends. Photo Credits: Adapted from OPIS weekly reports.

Recycled PP also found higher prices toward the end of the year.

Prices of Polyester Bales and Reprocessed Materials Fall

Bottle grade PET fell most dramatically, from 88 cents/lb in January to 56 cents/lb in December. Reprocessed FDA clear PET also declined significantly, while other grades of bales and regrind remained relatively flat.

Price movement in scrap and reprocessed polyethylene terepthalate (PET) varied by grade, but were generally flat or down for the year.

Prices of Recycled Styrenes, Nylons and PVCs Fall

With rare exceptions, prices of regrind and reprocessed GPPS and HIPS fell consistently throughout 2023. Scrap and reprocessed nylon (PA6, PA66) also fell as did PVC regrind.

Polystyrene and ABS prices fell consistently throughout 2023. Recycled nylon 6, nylon 66 and PVC (not pictured) also followed a downward trend.

Context of Related Price Trends in Polymer Industry

Prices of virgin resins fell at the end of 2023. Crude oil appears poised to close the year down, prices hit lows in May/June and highs in the fall. At an August recycling summit hosted by Baerlocher, recycling leaders expressed concern about the ability for recycled plastics to compete on a price basis, particularly with the increasing supply of wide-spec resin.