Slow Economy Puts Brakes on Resin Hikes.* Economic sluggishness has slowed the upward trend of resin resin, any of a class of amorphous solids or semisolids. Resins are found in nature and are chiefly of vegetable origin. They are typically light yellow to dark brown in color; tasteless; odorless or faintly aromatic; translucent or transparent; brittle, fracturing prices. PE, PP, PS, and PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. all showed evidence that market resistance is restraining RESTRAINING. Narrowing down, making less extensive; as, a restraining statute, by which the common law is narrowed down or made less extensive in its operation. suppliers' efforts to raise profitability. But that effort has not ground to a complete halt. PE hikes trickle in By the end of March, polyethylene polyethylene (pŏl'ēĕth`əlēn), widely used plastic. It is a polymer of ethylene, CH2=CH2, having the formula (-CH2-CH2-)n producers had pushed through the full 5[cts.]/lb of their first price hike of the year, originally announced for Jan. 1. An additional 3[cts]/lb was generally expected to be in place by the end of April. It represents half of the year's second announced hike, which was for 6[cts.] as of Feb. 1. Suppliers still aim to get the other 3[cts.] most likely this month. The year's third announced PE increase, for 5[cts.]/lb effective March 1, has not been rescinded, but its chances now look shaky. Contributing factors: By the end of March, some suppliers expected to receive the full 11[cts.]/lb called for in the year's first two increases. However, sluggish demand resulting from the overall economic slowdown For articles with similar titles, see Slow Down (disambiguation). A slowdown is an industrial action in which employees perform their duties but seek to reduce productivity or efficiency in their performance of these duties. , plus strong resistance from processors, foiled foil 1 tr.v. foiled, foil·ing, foils 1. To prevent from being successful; thwart. 2. To obscure or confuse (a trail or scent) so as to evade pursuers. n. Archaic 1. their ambitions. Suppliers responded with a 3[cts.] TVA TVA: see Tennessee Valley Authority. on the second (6[cts.]/lb) increase. By the middle of April, the first 3[cts.]/lb was falling into place and suppliers were attempting to lift the TVA on the other 3[cts.]. Although March and April ethylene ethylene (ĕth`əlēn') or ethene (ĕth`ēn), H2C=CH2, a gaseous unsaturated hydrocarbon. It is the simplest alkene. tabs settled lower by a total of 1.5[cts.]/lb, a hike of 1[cts.] was being sought for May. Higher ethylene prices are projected as a result of continued higher natural-gas tabs. PP prices soften 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 are reportedly weaker after a slight firming trend. The attempted 3[cts.]/lb hike that was pending since Feb. 1 has served mainly to stabilize stabilize See peg. prices of prime material. It also helped firm up wide-spec prices and lifted the prices paid by "bottom-end" buyers in early March by around 2[cts.]lb. However, by late March that trend reversed itself, as wide-spec and exported material prices fell back again. Contributing factors: Supply continues to be on the long side, even though resin producers are trying to tighten up Verb 1. tighten up - restrict; "Tighten the rules"; "stiffen the regulations" constrain, stiffen, tighten confine, limit, throttle, trammel, restrain, restrict, bound - place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the the situation by trimming excess capacity. Basell, for instance, plans to shut down a 450-million-lb/yr homopolymer ho·mo·pol·y·mer n. A polymer composed of identical monomeric units. line in Freeport, Texas Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Area and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 12,708 and is about sixteen miles away from Angleton. ; and Formosa Plastics Formosa Plastics Corporation (Traditional Chinese: 台灣塑膠公司; lit. "Taiwan Plastic Company") is a Taiwanese company based in Taiwan that primarily produces polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins and has opted to delay full operation of its second new 700-million-lb PP unit by at least a month. Propylene propylene /pro·pyl·ene/ (pro´pi-len) a gaseous hydrocarbon, CH3CHdbondCH2. propylene glycol a colorless viscous liquid used as a humectant and solvent in pharmaceutical preparations. monomer monomer (mŏn`əmər): see polymer. monomer Molecule of any of a class of mostly organic compounds that can react with other molecules of the same or other compounds to form very large molecules (polymers). supplies have been ample, and prices dipped dip v. dipped, dip·ping, dips v.tr. 1. To plunge briefly into a liquid, as in order to wet, coat, or saturate. 2. slightly in March. A proposed price decrease of 1-1.5[cts.]/lb for April remained unsettled at press time. Higher gasoline gasoline or petrol, light, volatile mixture of hydrocarbons for use in the internal-combustion engine and as an organic solvent, obtained primarily by fractional distillation and "cracking" of petroleum, but also obtained from natural gas, by prices could stifle that move. PP suppliers at least want to hold prices steady, although some have introduced a new category of "generic prime material," which is being sold a couple of cents lower than nominal Trifling, token, or slight; not real or substantial; in name only. Nominal capital, for example, refers to extremely small or negligible funds, the use of which in a particular business is incidental. NOMINAL. Relating to a name. prime resin prices. "It's it's 1. Contraction of it is. 2. Contraction of it has. See Usage Note at its. it's it is or it has it's be ~have just another way that has cropped up for some suppliers to move inventory," comments one PP maker. PVC gains slightly Processors say that by the end of March they were paying 2-3[cts.]/lb more than at the start of the year, but there were many variations and many ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits in the first three months of 2001. Meanwhile, another increase of 2[cts.]/lb was announced for April 1, but processors say if the first 3[cts.] wasn't was·n't Contraction of was not. wasn't was not wasn't be completely solid, the next 2[cts.] isn't is·n't Contraction of is not. isn't is not isn't be assured either. Contributing factors: PVC demand overall is soft, though it shows signs of returning life. Siding makers say orders picked up slightly in early April, though not as much as they would have liked for that time of year. Some window-profile makers also say markets have picked up. On the other hand, pipe prices are so depressed that independent pipe makers cannot support a resin hike. PS hike falters Polystyrene polystyrene (pŏl'ēstī`rēn), widely used plastic; it is a polymer of styrene. Polystyrene is a colorless, transparent thermoplastic that softens slightly above 100°C; (212°F;) and becomes a viscous liquid at around 185°C; resin producers haven't have·n't Contraction of have not. haven't have not haven't have withdrawn or delayed the 3[cts.]/lb increase announced for March 1, which should have taken effect in April for customers with 30day price protection. But suppliers admit they still aren't aren't Contraction of are not. See Usage Note at ain't. aren't are not aren't be getting the increase. Contributing factors: When resin producers announced the 3[cts.] increase, styrene sty·rene n. A colorless oily liquid from which polystyrenes, plastics, and synthetic rubber are produced. Also called vinylbenzene. monomer prices were very high. It has come down 3-4[cts.]/lb since then. Spot monomer is in the low 20[cts.]/lb range today. Also, demand in the first quarter was relatively weak in all PS sectors. Foam for construction and packaging for durables Durables A category of consumer goods, durables are products that do not have to be purchased frequently. Some examples of durables are appliances, home and office furnishings, lawn and garden equipment, consumer electronics, toy makers, small tool manufacturers, sporting goods, like TVs were especially weak. Food packaging, however, is beginning to pick up again as picnic season approaches.
Market Prices Effective Mid-April [a]
RESIN GRADE [b] [cts.]/LB [cts.]/CU IN [c]
ABS
MED IMPACT 89-91 3.4
HI IMPACT 94-100 3.7
X-HI IMPACT 102-105 3.9
HI HEAT 117-121 4.7
PIPE 78-82 2.6-3.0
SHEET 87-90 3.4
TRANSPARENT 152-158 5.7-5.9
FITTINGS 88-92 3.3-3.4
PLATING 105-115 4.0
FLAME RET 122-130 5.7
STRUCT FM 103-107 NA [d]
10% GLASS 140-160 6.0-6.1
30% GLASS 136-156 6.0-7.2
ABS/PC ALLOY 145-150 6.0-6.1
ABS/PVC ALLOY 140-145 6.0-6.1
ABS/NYLON ALLOY 177-199 7.0-8.0
ACETAL
HOMOPOL 143-147 7.2-7.5
20% GLASS 162-170 8.1-8.6
COPOLYMER 143-147 7.2-7.5
25% GLASS 162-170 8.1-8.6
ACRYLIC
G-P 87-104 3.7-4.4
IMPACT 135-191 5.7-8.1
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
ANHYDRIDE 188-268 13.9-19.2
EVA
INJECTION 60-95 2.4-4.0
FILM EXTRU 55-87 2.4-2.7
EVOH 265 11.3
FLUORO-POLYMER
CTFE 4500 346.6
ECTFE 1400-1600 108.3-123.8
ETFE 1230-1600 79.3
FEP 1000-1500 70.5-75.6
PFA 1850-2400 143.1-185.7
PTFE 500-900 39-70.3
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 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
MELAMINE/
PHENOLIC
COMPOUND
NYLON
TYPE 6 129-133 5.9
MIN FILLED 122-130 6.3
30% GLASS 156-160 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 612 286-327 11.4-13.2
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 55.5-87.5 2.8-4.0
REINFORCED
GRADES 100.5-267.5 6.0-15.9
POLYAMIDE-
IMIDE [g]
UNFILLED 2310-2910 118.4-148.4
30% GLASS 2250-2780 118.8-146.9
30% CARBON FIB. 3260-3750 174.0-200.4
POLYARYLATE 200-280 8.8-12.3
POLYARYLSULFONE 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 148-163 6.7
20% GLASS 178-190 8.9
30% GLASS 188-217 10.4
EXTRUSION 137-145 5.9
BLOW MOLD 150-170 6.7
STRUCT FOAM 159-181 NA [d]
20% GLASS 245-255 NA [d]
FR 176-197 8.2
CD 145-155 6.2-6.6
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) 65-68 3.3-3.4
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 60-68 NA [d]
ISOPHTHALIC 73-83 NA [d]
BIS-A 123-153 NA [d]
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 440 19.71
30% GLASS 372 20.01
POLYETHYLENE
(RAILCAR)
LDPE
G-P MOLDING
& EXTRU 55-57 1.9
INJECTION 55-57 1.9
LID RESIN 56-58 1.9
LINER 55-57 1.9
CLARITY 50-53 1.7-1.8
EXTRU COATG 54-56 1.8-1.9
BLOW MOLD 56-58 1.9-2.0
LLDPE, BUTENE-BASED
G-P MOLDING 43-45 1.4-1.5
FILM 42-46 1.4-1.5
ROTOMOLD 43-44 1.4-1.5
LLDPE, HAO-BASED
G-P MOLDING 47-49 1.6
LID RESIN 51-53 1.7-1.8
LINER FILM 48-50 1.6-1.7
HDPE
G-P INJ MOLD 45-47 1.5-1.6
FILM 47-49 1.6-1.7
BLOW MOLD 48-50 1.6-1.7
HMW-HDPE
BLOW MOLDING 49-51 1.7
FILM 48-50 1.6-1.7
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 363-385 22-23
55% GLASS/
MINERAL 275-295 18
65% GLASS/
MINERAL 205-260 17-19
POLYPROPYLENE
(RAILCAR)
G-P HOMOPOL
INJECTION 39-40 1.3
EXTRUSION
FIBER 37-39 1.2-1.3
PROFILES 40-42 1.3-1.4
RANDOM COPOL
BLOW MOLDING 44-46 1.4-1.5
FILM 43-45 1.4-1.5
INJECTION 42-44 1.4
IMPACT COPOL
MED IMP 51-53 1.7
HI IMP 55-57 1.8
POLYSTYRENE
(RAILCAR)
G-P CRYSTAL 44-47 1.7-18
HI HEAT 44-46 1.7
HIPS 44-48 1.7-1.8
SUPER HI IMP 58-62 2.2
FR 81-92 3.0-3.5
STRUCT FM (FR) 93-95 NA
EPS
UNMODIFIED 80-84 NA [d]
MODIFIED 84-85 NA [d]
POLYSULFONE 440 19.71
10% GLASS 430 20.6
30% GLASS 372 20.01
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 34-36 NA [d]
PIPE 31-33 NA [d]
FILM 37-38 NA [d]
COPOLYMER
FLOORING 45-47 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) 85-88 3.3
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.[Sup.a] Truckload truck·load n. The quantity that a truck can hold. truckload n → camión m lleno unless otherwise specified. [Sup.b]Unfilled natural color unless otherwise specified. [Sup.c] Based on typical or average density.[Sup.d] Not applicable. [Sup.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. [Sup.f] Novalac and anhydride grades for resistors, capacitors, diodes. [Sup.g] In quantities of 20,000 lb.[Sup.h]19,800-lb load. |
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