Recycled resin prices heading for a turnaround.* After a spring of soft prices, signs point to firming and possible increases ahead. Housing starts are down, but automotive manufacturing seems to be holding its own. Both markets are big users of recycled plastics. Stronger prices for virgin resins resins, n.pl complex, insoluble, sticky substances secreted by plants. Used as astringents, antimicrobials, and antiinflammatories, and are burned as incense. Can cause oral ulcers and epidermal irritations. also suggest higher recycled resin prices lie ahead. R-HDPE headed up? In the last quarter, some markets for natural-color post-consumer HDPE HDPE abbr. high-density polyethylene saw prices drop as much as 8 cents/lb. Said one recycler, "We sell a lot of material into the pipe market, and that was affected by declining housing starts. Also, there was quite a lot of wide-spec available last month." However, suppliers' efforts to push through virgin price increases in June could affect recycled HDPE this month or soon after. R-PET mostly soft In the last quarter, R-PET also lost 8 cents/lb in some markets. The spring was wet and cold in many areas, cutting into soft-drink sales. More erosion has been reported in clear than in green prices, especially for flake flake an epidermal scale. flake Cocaine, see there . Green pellet pel·let n. 1. A small pill; a pilule. 2. A small rod-shaped or ovoid mass, as of compressed steroid hormones, intended for subcutaneous implantation in body tissues to provide timed release over an extended period of time. prices hold up better because there are fewer suppliers. "Most of the low-end markets In the USA, as well as in most developed countries, the low-end market consists of lower-priced products suitable for customers who are not willing or able to spend large amounts of money. In developing countries, some low-end products may be considered high-end or even luxury items. will take flake, but if they can't get it at the right price, they just won't buy. The higher-end markets for recycled pellets--for example, FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. applications that require melt filtration-are basically competing with virgin markets. That's why they can hold pricing a little better," one supplier explained. Other materials While housing starts are declining, recycled PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. suppliers say window profiles have remained strong and are keeping post-industrial R-PVC prices fairly stable. Recycled 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. prices dropped a couple of cents on the high end but have been holding their own in the mid-range, where prices are around 35 cents to 39 cents/lb for post-industrial grades. Recycled PS has come down because its strongest market (horticultural hor·ti·cul·ture n. 1. The science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants. 2. The cultivation of a garden. ) has passed its seasonal peak. But industry observers say R-PS prices will likely go back up in the fall.
RECYCLED RESIN PRICES
Pellets Flake
cents/lb cents/lb
PET Bottles (Clean)
Clear Post-Consumer 62-67 50-53
Green Post-Consumer 50-54 38-42
HDPE (Clean)
Natural Post-Consumer 53-57 41-45
Mixed Colors 40-46 29-32
Polystyrene
Post-Consumer
High Impact
Black 62-65 53-56
Natural 69-72 --
General Purpose
Black 43-45 35-40
Natural 60-65 42-46
Polypropylene
Post-Industrial 36-39 38-39
Post-Consumer 51-54 --
Polyethylene Film
Post-Consumer
Stretch 28 --
Printed/Mixed 13 --
Post-Industrial
Printed 20 --
Not Printed 24 --
PVC
Post-Industrial
Flexible 55-65 --
Rigid 60-73 --
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