Every which way.

While some plastic grades have been enjoying relatively healthy markets, others have been stagnating in light of consuming industry problems.

Pricing for LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film has posted an increase recently, thanks in large part to the actions of overseas buyers, particularly those in Asia, according to a Midwestern recycler. He says competition between domestic and overseas buyers for LDPE film is contributing to a 5-to 9 cent increase in prices for the material, pushing it toward 24 cents per pound.

However, the recycler warns that LDPE film consumers, such as composite lumber companies like Trex and AERT, could affect the fortunes of the material if their buying habits change. He says he fears these companies could try to rein in their expenses by scaling back their sourcing of materials. "If Trex announces a scale back, you'll see LDPE film drop domestically."

HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which has been selling toward the high-end of its range, is beginning to feel a push back from domestic markets. "Right now, there is no real reason for HDPE to be where it is," the Midwest-based recycler says. "Sooner or later, it is going to come down to where scrap HDPE is going to be equal to virgin material." At which point, he says, domestic consumers will opt to use virgin material instead, thereby pushing down the price of recovered HDPE.

PET (polyethylene) is also enjoying a healthy market. The Midwest recycler says that pricing for PET collected at the curbside has caught up with that of material from deposit programs. "There is virtually no difference in curbside material versus deposit," he says. "Three months ago, there was a 6 cent difference."

PVC markets are still languishing, thanks in large part to problems with the domestic housing market, according to sources. However, when it comes to the blister pack packaging grade, the Midwest recycler is getting good prices on the export market for the material. However, as tariffs increase to $6,000 per container, export market activity could be negatively affected.

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"Black rigid purge or regrind is almost impossible to move," he says of rigid PVC, adding that the outlook for the material is not very promising. "It's already a low-value material. When you factor in rising tariffs and shipping costs, it sends vendors after higher-grade materials. I have to offer them LDPE film to get them to buy."

ABS, rigid polystyrene and polypropylene have all been holding their own in recent months, according to the Midwest recycler.

A recycler in the Pacific Northwest says the market for polyethylene and polypropylene have been so volatile, she's not sure which direction it's headed in next. "The housing market has torn things up. The decline has been further than anticipated, and the market has not recovered." Some consumers report being down 25 percent to 30 percent in the housing sector, she adds.

In response, she says consumers are trying to diversify into different areas, such as food-grade material or ground liners for the produce industry. However, she says the efforts at diversification have come too late to help consumers this year. "They are not going to see [any positive] effects until next year after they've run their trials."

She adds that fuel surcharges and rising tariffs are not helping matters.

"A lot of companies are just floating along, hoping they don't sink," she says.

Despite the problems with the domestic housing market, the forecast for the plastic pipe market is encouraging. According to a study titled "Plastic Pipes: A Global Strategic Business Report" by Global Industry Analysts Inc. of San Jose, Calif., plastic pipes are replacing traditional materials, such as steel, copper and cast iron, in telecommunications and natural gas distribution applications.

The company says that advancements in drinking water transfer systems and drainage and sewage systems are also expected to advance market expansions, driven by the Chinese market.

"Introduction of high-quality, less toxic products such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes is adding to the growing market for polyethylene (PE) pipes," according to the study. "Demonstrating traits such as joint integrity, flexibility, trench laying capacity and sturdiness, use of HDPE pipes is growing at a faster pace in potable water piping systems and corrugated drainage systems."

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The United States is the largest market for plastic pipes, with 2.1 billion meters estimated in 2007, according to Global Industry Analysts, with Europe and Asia-Pacific following in the second and third positions, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the global plastic pipe market.

On the packaging side, some environmental groups have been targeting the very concept of bottled water. The mayor of San Francisco has ordered city departments to cease purchasing bottled water.

(Additional news about plastics recycling markets is available online at www.RecyclingToday.com.)