Engineering resins look stable for now. (2003 Pricing Outlook--Part II).* Although sales of engineering thermoplastics turned out significantly better in 2002 than had been predicted, prices were fairly stable. Suppliers have been looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. an opportunity to raise prices but haven't acted yet and are unlikely to do so in the early part of this year. Most attempted actions so far have served to keep prices from eroding rather than actually pushing them up. These stable conditions are expected to persist through at least the first quarter of 2003. One exception is ABS, whose unstable feedstock feed·stock n. Raw material required for an industrial process. Noun 1. feedstock - the raw material that is required for some industrial process raw material, staple - material suitable for manufacture or use or finishing pricing and supply situation raises concerns about the potential for sudden shocks. ABS feedstocks unsteady ABS resin prices eroded e·rode v. e·rod·ed, e·rod·ing, e·rodes v.tr. 1. To wear (something) away by or as if by abrasion: Waves eroded the shore. 2. To eat into; corrode. by as much as 8Cents/lb in 2002 after falling 20Cents in 2001. One major supplier notes that prices sank even though demand for ABS improved last year and prices for all ABS feedstocks--acrylonitrile, butadiene butadiene (by  t'ədī`ēn), colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon. There are two structural isomers of butadiene; they differ in the location of the two carbon-carbon double bonds in the , and styrene sty·renen. A colorless oily liquid from which polystyrenes, plastics, and synthetic rubber are produced. Also called vinylbenzene. monomer--increased significantly. Contributing factors: More feedstock hikes are expected in 2003. One supplier even foresees the possibility of feedstock supply disruptions or sudden spikes in pricing: "Based on the assumption that the chemical industry has neglected some maintenance in difficult economic times, we expect that sudden raw-material supply issues could emerge in 2003." Polycarbonate A category of plastic materials used to make a myriad of products, including CDs and CD-ROMs. is holding While polycarbonate resin demand and prices slipped early in 2002, they recovered by mid-year. Overall, PC pricing showed little change over the course of the year and, if anything, perhaps drifted a bit lower. Contributing factors: Relatively stable pricing prevailed last year, despite unexpected raw-materials supply disruptions in phenol phenol (fē`nōl), C6H5OH, a colorless, crystalline solid that melts at about 41°C;, boils at 182°C;, and is soluble in ethanol and ether and somewhat soluble in water. , cumene Cu´mene n. 1. (Chem.) A colorless oily hydrocarbon, n. Too great a capacity for production of commodities or delivery of services in relation to actual need: the problem of overcapacity in many large industries. in polycarbonate. Nylon: overcapacity reigns While chemical feedstock supply has been no problem for nylon makers, rising feedstock prices really started to pinch by mid-2002. Attempted resin price increases did not stick, however, because of ample overcapacity. "We've leveled off price erosion and reached the point of stability," one supplier comments. Contributing factors: Nylon consumption, which experienced a 15% decline in 2001, was up in 2002. Aresin maker describes the effect of several new automotive and electronics applications as giving the material "a new lease on life." Demand was strong enough last year for Bayer to double its compounding capacity in Newark, Ohio Newark is a city in Licking County, Ohio, United States, 33 miles (53 km) east of Columbus, at the junction of the forks of the Licking River. In 1890, 14,270 people lived in Newark, Ohio; in 1900, 18,157; in 1910, 25,404; in 1920, 27,718; and in 1940, 31,487. . Growth projections for nylon are in the 5% to 6% range for 2003, even if the economy--and automotive business in particular--remains flat. New automotive applications such as rocker covers Rocker Covers, in relation to the internal combustion engine, are covers that are bolted on over rocker arms. Called a valve cover in the United States. In early engines, these covers did not exist. and engine-cooling components will drive that growth. On the other hand, excess compounding capacity is holding prices down as independent compounders battle the large integrated suppliers for market share. Nylon also feels pricing pressure from a competing plastic--polypropylene. "Because of its density advantage, PP is being tried in automotive applications that have traditionally been nylon," comments one industry observer. Acetal acetal /ac·e·tal/ (as´e-t'l) 1. any of a class of organic compounds formed by combination of an aldehyde molecule and two alcohol molecules. 2. holds even Despite attempts by some acetal suppliers to raise prices last summer, resin tabs remained fairly flat last year. Prices were not lifted by a significant increase in demand during 2002, coming from automotive, consumer products, and sporting goods Noun 1. sporting goods - sports equipment sold as a commodity commodity, trade good, good - articles of commerce sports equipment - equipment needed to participate in a particular sport . No big change appears on the near horizon. Contributing factors: The supply and demand outlook for methanol methanol, methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol, CH3OH, a colorless, flammable liquid that is miscible with water in all proportions. Methanol is a monohydric alcohol. It melts at −97. feedstock is stable. Acetal is one resin not highly sensitive Adj. 1. highly sensitive - readily affected by various agents; "a highly sensitive explosive is easily exploded by a shock"; "a sensitive colloid is readily coagulated" to oil prices. PBT PBT Provider Backbone Transport (networking technology adding determinism to ethernet) PBT Polybutylene Terephthalate PBT Profit Before Tax PBT Paper Based Test (education) demand soars PBT suppliers have not tried aggressively to raise prices, but they did attempt to stop the erosion. Contributing factors: PBT experienced one of the best growth years of any of the engineering plastics in 2002. Depending on the application area, growth was anywhere from 15% to 30%. "We're very bullish Bullish Word used to describe an investor's attitude. Bullish refers to an optimistic outlook, while bearish means a pessimistic outlook. bullish about polyester growth for 2003 --we expect double digits Double Digits was a pricing game on the American television game show, The Price Is Right. Played from April 20, 1973 through May 18, 1973's show, it was played for a car and used small prizes. ," says one producer. While automotive and electronics markets have been relatively flat overall, growth has come through new applications for improved grades of resins. No new PBT capacity is expected in the U.S. Feedstocks PDO PDO Php Data Objects (PHP extension) PDO Protected Designation of Origin (EC) PDO Pacific Decadal Oscillation (weather) PDO Property Damage Only and DMT See DSL. have been tight, but suppliers expect that situation to stabilize for the next six to 12 months. PE price hikes renewed Polyethylene suppliers are still working on a way to get a 5cents/lb increase. ExxonMobil apparently rescinded the two-step hike scheduled for November and December and replaced it with a "new" 5cents bike for Jan. 1. Equistar followed suit. However, Dow, Chevron Phillips Chevron Phillips is a chemical producer jointly owned by Chevron Corporation and ConocoPhillips. The company was formed July 1st, 2000 by merging the chemicals operations of both Chevron Corporation and Phillips Petroleum Company. , and Nova have instead pushed back the 2cents increase to Jan. 1 and have reinstated the 3cents TVA TVA: see Tennessee Valley Authority. that was supposed to expire in December. Contributing factors: Suppliers say they are still operating below reinvestment Reinvestment Using dividends, interest and capital gains earned in an investment or mutual fund to purchase additional shares or units, rather than receiving the distributions in cash. 1. In terms of stocks, it is the reinvestment of dividends to purchase additional shares. profit levels, as the price gains of last year were offset by increases in raw materials. Moreover, while crude-oil prices dropped $1/barrel in early December, natural-gas prices spiked upward. Some industry analysts are projecting an extended supply crunch for natural gas. If natural gas prices jump further, the 3cents TVA on PE could disappear fast. PP prices stable Polypropylene polypropylene (pŏl'ēprō`pəlēn), plastic noted for its light weight, being less dense than water; it is a polymer of propylene. It resists moisture, oils, and solvents. resin prices appeared stable in early December, even though suppliers tried to push through their last 3cents/lb increase of 2002. No real effect was expected before the new year. Contributing factors: Suppliers are projecting strong PP demand in the first quarter plus tighter supply. Commercial quantities of resin from the only new capacity scheduled this year--the 775-million-lb ConocoPhillips plant in Linden Linden, city, United States Linden, city (1990 pop. 36,701), Union co., NE N.J., in the New York metropolitan area; inc. 1925. During the first half of the 20th cent. , N.J.--will not hit the market until mid-year. PET hike under way A 5cents/lb increase on PET bottle resin was slated for Jan. 1. The move appears to have been supported by all major players, including Voridian, M&G, Kosa, Wellman, and DAK n. 1. Post; mail; also, the mail or postal arrangements; - spelt also dawk sp>, and dauk sp>. Dak boat a mail boat. Dak bungalow a traveler's rest-house at the end of a dak stage. - Percy Smith. Americas. Contributing factors: The move is attributed to feedstock cost increases and the need to recover profit margins. While suppliers gained a 5cents increase in the second quarter of 2002, subsequent attempts to hike prices in July and November failed. PET resin prices are actually 8cents to 10cents/lb lower than they were two years ago, suppliers point out. While demand is projected to grow at least 7%, there is over 1 billion lb of new capacity due on stream in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. this year. PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. hike in two steps Occidental oc·ci·den·tal or Oc·ci·den·tal adj. Of or relating to the countries of the Occident or their peoples or cultures; western. n. A native or inhabitant of an Occidental country; a westerner. Noun 1. Chemical was planning a 5cents/lb price increase for Jan. 1, but Shintech pre-empted OxyChem's news with a 2cents hike for Jan. 1. OxyChem settled for a 2cents hike immediately and another 3cents due Feb. 1. As of mid-December, all PVC producers supported the 2cents hike, but there were no other official announcements for February. Westlake and Formosa, however, unofficially told customers that they intended to support the February hike. Contributing factors: December, typically a weak month for PVC, showed stronger-than-expected resin demand, which suppliers assume includes some prebuying ahead of announced increases. So PVC producers say they are holding customers strictly to their contractual amounts. Pipe producers around the country fully support higher resin prices in hopes that they will pull up pipe prices, which have sagged much more than resin tabs. Thermosets thermosets, materials that can not be softened on heating. In thermosetting polymers, the polymer chains are joined (or cross-linked) by intermolecular bonding. Thermosets are usually supplied as partially polymerized or as monomer-polymer mixtures. going up Unsaturated unsaturated /un·sat·u·rat·ed/ (un-sach´ur-at?ed) 1. not holding all of a solute which can be held in solution by the solvent. 2. denoting compounds in which two or more atoms are united by double or triple bonds. polyester prices are going up again, after two increases last year totaling 7cents/lb. Cook Composites announced last month that it would raise resin prices 2cents/lb and gelcoat A gelcoat is a material used to provide a high quality finish on the visible surface of a fibre-reinforced composite material. The most common gelcoats are based on epoxy or unsaturated polyester resin chemistry. prices 4cents/lb on Jan. 20. At press time, no other supplier had followed suit. Meanwhile, Dow Plastics, which hiked solid epoxies This article is about the band named the Epoxies. For the adhesive, see Epoxy. The Epoxies are an American band from Portland, Oregon formed in 2000. Heavily influenced by punk rock and New Wave the band has described themselves as robot garage rock. 4cents to 10cents/lb in October, added another 3cents to 5cents/lb for liquids and solids on Jan. 1. Isocyanate i·so·cy·a·nate n. Any of a family of nitrogenous chemicals that are used in industry and can cause respiratory disorders, especially asthma, if inhaled. hike looms? Price hikes on TDI TDI - Transport Driver Interface and possibly MDI (1) (Multiple Document Interface) A Windows function that allows an application to display and lets the user work with more than one document at the same time. could surface within the first half of 2003 as suppliers attempt to restore profit margins. Prices of PUR chemicals have been plummeting for some time, reaching a 10-year low in mid-2002. Price increases of 6cents to 9cents/lb (polyols at the lower end and TDI on the high end) were implemented by suppliers in the third and fourth quarters. Says one major producer, "The need for margin restoration is particularly important in TDI, which is very tight in supply following plant closings and slow but steady growth in demand." Industry sources project demand growth of 3% to 5% for TDI and 6% for MDI in 2003. Market Prices Effective Mid-December (a) RESIN GRADE (b) Cents/LB Cents/CU INC (c) ABS MED IMPACT 62-82 2.4-3.1 HI IMPACT 72-85 2.7-3.2 X-HI IMPACT 82-105 3.1-3.9 HI HEAT 85-95 3.2-3.6 PIPE 58-62 2.2-2.3 SHEET 75-90 3.0-3.7 TRANSPARENT 125-165 4.9-6.4 FITTINGS 65-78 2.4-2.9 PLATING 95-105 3.5-3.9 FLAME RET 105-135 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 135-165 5.6-6.8 ABS/PVC ALLOY 130-135 5.8-6.1 ABS/NYLON ALLOY 190 7.3 ACETAL HOMOPOL 130-147 6.7-7.3 20% GLASS 160-220 9.0-12.4 COPOLYMER 133-137 6.8-7.0 25% GLASS 160-215 9.2-12.3 ACRYLIC G-P 72-102 3.0-4.3 IMPACT 130-191 5.4-7.9 ACRYLONI-TRILE 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 184 7.9 CAP 184 7.9 DAP (G-P) 251-497 16.3-34.7 EPOXY G-P RESIN 116-126 NA (d) COMPOUNDS C/B/T (e) 123-166 9.4-12.9 R/C/D (f) 208-271 15.3-20.1 SEMICONDUCTOR NOVOLAC 193-228 13.1-15.9 ANHYORIDE 188-268 13.9-192 EVA INJECTION 46-52 1.5-1.7 FILM EXTRU 42-49 1.4-1.6 EVOH 265 11.3 FLUORO-POLYMER CTFE 4500 346.6 ECTFE 1400-1600 108.3-123.8 ETFE 1100-1600 73.6-107.1 FEP 925-1400 71.3-107.9 PFA 1700-2400 131.6-185.8 PTFE 450-900 34.8-69.7 PVDF 650-800 41.4-50.9 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 698-895 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 6 124-1 39 6.2-7.0 MIN FILLED 119-1 32 5.9-6.6 30% GLASS 150-1 60 7.2-7.7 TYPE 66 140-155 7.4-8.2 MIN FILLED 140-148 7.4-7.8 30% GLASS 180-190 8.8-9.3 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 15.0-1 5.8 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 55.5-87.5 2.8-4.0 REINFORCED GRADES 100.5-267.5 6.0-15.9 POLYAMIDE- IMIDE (g) UNFILLED 2310-3045 124.7-164.4 30% GLASS 2250-2985 13.4-173.0 30% CARBON FIB 3260-3950 173.6-210.5 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 POLYCAR- BONATE INJECTION 138-165 5.9-7.0 20% GLASS 177-190 7.6-8.2 30% GLASS 178-217 7.6-9.3 EXTRUSION 127-145 5.4-6.2 BLOW MOLD 140-170 6.0-7.3 STRUCT FOAM 149-181 6.4-7.8 20% GLASS 235-255 10.1-11.0 FR 166-197 7.1-8.5 CD 82-100 3.5-4.3 POLYESTER (TP) PBT TYPE UNFILLED 143-150 6.9 HI-IMP 154-165 7.6 30% GLASS, FR 165-187 10.0 STRUCT FOAM 159-165 NA (d) PET BOTTLE (RAILCAR) 63-67 3.2-3.4 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 POLYESTER THERMOSET G-P ORTHO 53-57 NA (d) ISOPHTHALIC 70-80 NA (d) BIS-A 120-150 NA (d) PEEK 4400 231 30% GLASS 3300 173 POLYETHERIMIDE 641-646 29.3-29.5 30% GLASS 526-531 24.0-24.2 POLYETHER- KETONE (PEK) 2950 130.1 30% GLASS 2600 153 POLYETHER- SULFONE 350-400 17.2-19.7 30% GLASS 425-525 21-25.9 POLYETHYLENE (RAILCAR) LDPE G-P MOLDING & EXTRU 53-55 1.7-1.8 INJECTION 53-55 1.7-1.8 LID RESIN 54-56 1.8 LINER 51-53 1.7 CLARITY 49-51 1.7 EXTRU COATG 52-54 1.7-1.8 BLOW MOLD 54-56 1.8 LLDPE, BUTENE- BASED G-P MOLDING 38-40 1.3-1.4 FILM 40-42 1.4 ROTOMOLD 42-44 1.4-1.5 LLDPE, HAO-BASED G-P MOLDING 44-46 1.5-1.6 LID RESIN 50-53 1.7-1.8 LINER FILM 45-47 1.5-1.6 HDPE G-P INJ MOLD 39-41 1.4 FILM 48-50 1.6-1.7 BLOW MOLD 42-44 1.5 HMW-HDPE BLOW MOLDING 49-51 1.7 FILM 52-54 1.8 PIPE 56-58 1.9-2.0 UHMW-PE 100-125 3.6-3.7 PPE/PPO- BASED RESIN INJECTION 180 6.8 20% GLASS (h) 283 12.3 30% GLASS (h) 291 13.3 EXTRUSION (h) 242 9.2 STRUCT FM 231 NA (d) PPS 40% GLASS 340-385 20-23 55% GLASS/ MINERAL 275-295 18 65% GLASS/ MINERAL 205-260 15-19 POLY- PROPYLENE (RAILCAR) G-P HOMOPOL INJECTION 40-42 1.3-1.4 EXTRUSION FIBER 38-40 1.3 PROFILES 41-43 1.4 RANDOM COPOL BLOW MOLDING 44-46 1.5 FILM 43-45 1.4-1.5 INJECTION 42-44 1.4-1.5 IMPACT COPOL MED IMP 55-57 1.8 HI IMP 57-62 1.8-1.9 POLYSTYRENE (RAILCAR) G-P CRYSTAL 43-45 1.6 HI HEAT 44-47 1.6-1.7 HIPS 46-49 1.7-1.8 SUPER HI IMP 58-62 2.2-2.3 FR 81-92 3.0-3.5 STRUCT FM (FR) 91-93 NA EPS UNMODIFIED 74-78 NA (d) MODIFIED 78-79 NA (d) POLYSULFONE 425-500 19-22.3 10% GLASS 600 28.3 30% GLASS 550 25.9 POLYURE- THANE (TP) ESTER TYPE 185-255 8-11 ETHER TYPE 245-295 10.6-13 PU ISOCYANATES POLYMERIC MDI 105-115 NA (d) 80/20 TDI 110-120 NA (d) PVC RESIN (RAILCAR) G-P HOMOPOL 31-34 NA (d) PIPE 29-30 NA (d) FILM 40-42 NA (d) COPOLYMER FLOORING 44-46 NA (d) DISPERSION HOMOPOLY 56-60 NA (d) COPOLYMER 60-64 NA (d) CPVC PIPE COMPOUND 119 NA (d) PVDC EXTRUDABLE 162 NA (d) SILICONES MOLD. COMP. 581-640 38.1-39.3 SPECIALTY GR. 891-3148 NA (d) SILICONE/EPOXY 339-343 22.5-22.8 STYRENE- ACRYLIC 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 83-237 2.9-8.3 UREA MOLDING COMPOUND BLACK & BROWN 67-78 3.6-4.1 WHITE & IVORY 72 3.8 VINYL ESTER COR RES 147 NA (d) HEAT & COR RES 161 NA (d) KEY: Colored areas indicate pricing activity. An arrow ([down arrow]) indicates direction of price change (a) Truckload truck·load n. The quantity that a truck can hold. truckload n → camión m lleno , unless otherwise specified. (b) Unfilled, natural color unless otherwise specified. (c) Based on typical or average density. (d) No applicable (e) Novolac and anhydride anhydride (ănhī`drīd, –drĭd) [Gr.,=without water], chemical compound formed by removing water, H2O, from another compound; the anhydride can also react with water to form the original compound. grades for coils bushings, transformers. (f) Novolac and anhydride grades for resistors, capacitors, diodes. (g) In quantities of 20,000 lb. (h) 19,800-lb load. |
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