Softer prices may be short-lived. (2003 Pricing Outlook: Commodity Resins).The slight easing of commodity-resin prices this fall is not expected to last long. Market demand is growing--modestly for some 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. , quite robustly for others. 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 prices are still a worrisome factor, particularly with the threat of war in Iraq Iraq or Irak (both: ēräk`, ĭrăk`), officially Republic of Iraq, republic (2005 est. pop. 26,075,000), 167,924 sq mi (434,924 sq km), SW Asia. . And 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 suppliers are still trying to claw claw (klaw) a nail of an animal, particularly a carnivore, that is long and curved and has a sharp end. cat's claw a woody South American vine, Uncaria tomentosa their way up to "sustainable" profit margins. PE prices could move up Polyethylene polyethylene (pŏl'ēĕth`əlēn), widely used plastic. It is a polymer of ethylene, CH2=CH2, having the formula (-CH2-CH2-)n resin prices may rise in early 2003, possibly as a carryover carryover n. in taxation accounting, using a tax year's deductions, business losses or credits to apply to the following year's tax return to reduce the tax liability. (See: carryback) of price increases that were not fully implemented by the end of 2002. Additional raw-material cost pressure may be another factor. Price hikes totaling 17Cents/lb were announced in 2002, but market prices of HDPE HDPE abbr. high-density polyethylene and LL/LDPE actually rose 10Cents and 12Cents/lb, respectively, by the end of third quarter. Suppliers have tried to hike tabs another 5Cents/lb in the fourth quarter, but they pushed the increase back a couple of times and then split it into a 2Cents/lb immediate increase and a TVA TVA: see Tennessee Valley Authority. . At press time last month, suppliers were aiming to get the 2Cents in November November: see month. , and several producers had notified customers that they would be rescinding their 3Cents TVAs in December. There were also rumors For other uses, see Rumor (disambiguation). Rumors is a farcical play by Neil Simon. At its start, several affluent couples gather in the posh suburban residence of a couple for a dinner party celebrating their tenth anniversary. that ChevronPhillips was issuing a new 2Cents/lb increase for December, but the company declined to comment. Contributing factors: PE suppliers maintain that 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. levels. Natural gas and crude oil more than doubled in price this year, which took a big bite Big Bite was an Australian sketch comedy broadcast on the Seven Network in an evening timeslot. The show starred Chris Lilley of We Can Be Heroes and Andrew O'Keefe, who would go on to fame as host of the Seven Network's Deal or No Deal, Dragons' Den, The Rich List out of the improved profit margins that resin hikes were supposed to provide. Some industry sources are projecting an extended supply crunch (1) To process data. See number crunching. (2) To compress data. See data compression. 1. (jargon) crunch - To process, usually in a time-consuming or complicated way. in natural gas. The possibility of a war with Iraq adds more uncertainty about feedstock supply and pricing. Some suppliers expect 2003 to resemble 2002, with domestic demand growing 2.5% to 3%. Yet others are more optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op , projecting growth of at least 4% to 6%. Some PE oversupply o·ver·sup·ply n. pl. o·ver·sup·plies A supply in excess of what is appropriate or required. tr.v. o·ver·sup·plied, o·ver·sup·ply·ing, o·ver·sup·plies will remain in 2003, though it should shrink shrink Vox populi noun A psychiatrist during the year. Some sources project tighter supplies in 2004-2005, since no new capacity expansions have been announced. Although no major new LDPE LDPE abbr. low-density polyethylene or LLDPE LLDPE Linear Low Density Polyethylene capacity is due on stream next year, there will be a lot more GP and blow molding HDPE around: A new BP Solvay/ChevronPhillips 700-million lb/yr HDPE plant starts up in Pasadena, Texas, in January. Despite that new capacity, one major HDPE supplier expects overall HDPE plant operating rates Operating rate The percentage of total production capacity of a company, industry, or country that is being used. operating rate The portion of capacity at which a business operates. to increase slightly to 85% in 2003. Capacity utilization Capacity Utilization measures the rate at which a firm makes use of their capital productive capacities, such as factories and machinery. Capacity Utilization generally rises when the economy is healthy and falls when demand softens. for LLDPE and LDPE is projected to be in the high 80% and low 90% range, respectively. Some loosening loosening /loo·sen·ing/ (loo´sen-ing) freeing from restraint or strictness. loosening of associations of LLDPE supply could occur if suppliers with HDPE/LLDPE swing plants opt to produce more LLDPE out of fear of an HDPE glut glut pronounced as rut, slut Vox populi An excess of a service or skilled labor in a particular area. See Physician glut. . Industry sources also voice concern about imports from the Asia-Pacific region, where there is major new capacity. These imports have shown up mainly in finished products, from film to molded mold 1 n. 1. A hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance. 2. A frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped. 3. Something that is made in or shaped on a mold. goods. PP prices likely to go up 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. price hikes are likely to surface as early as January. PP prices rose 9Cents to 10Cents/lb in 2002. By early November, it appeared that the year's fourth PP price initiative was a dead issue. Instead, resin makers felt considerable pressure to reduce prices in October and November because 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). prices were dropping. In 2002, monomer prices rose a total of 6Cents/lb. However, October monomer contracts were expected to fall back 1.25Cents to 2Cents/lb, and November prices were also expected to drop. Contributing factors: Although PP suppliers improved their margins in 2002 with three price hikes, industry sources say there's still a long way to go before profitability approaches reinvestment level. The PP market took on 3 billion lb of new capacity between 1998 and 2000, which resulted in chronic overcapacity o·ver·ca·pac·i·ty 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. and poor profits. In the past year, resin producers compensated by shuttering 1.7 billion/lb of PP production--about 10% of total domestic capacity. The only major new PP capacity coming is the 775-million-lb/yr 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., due to start up in the first quarter. Domestic demand growth in 2002 was a healthy 7% to 8%. "Conservative" projections for 2003 show growth of 5% to 6%. Industry sources expect 2003 to mirror the pattern of 2002, with a strong first half followed by a weaker second half. Resin capacity utilization is expected to be 95% to 100%, up from 88% to 90% in 2002. Some industry sources see supply and demand as "balanced to tight" for 2003 and "tight to sold-out" in 2004. PET prices to rise PET bottle-resin prices are likely to move upwards in the earlier part of the year. They rose 5Cents/lb in 2002 but remained 8[cents] to 10[cents] lower than they were two years ago. Suppliers' attempts to implement an additional 3[cents]/lb price hike failed last summer, and a 3[cents] hike slated for Nov. 1 appeared unlikely to succeed. Contributing factors: Industry sources think suppliers may have a chance of lifting PET tabs by 3[cents] to 5[cents]/lb as early as January. They foresee fore·see tr.v. fore·saw , fore·seen , fore·see·ing, fore·sees To see or know beforehand: foresaw the rapid increase in unemployment. renewed increases in costs of raw materials like ethylene glycol ethylene glycol: see glycol. ethylene glycol Simplest member of the glycol family, also called 1,2-ethanediol (HOCH2CH2OH). It is a colourless, oily liquid with a mild odour and sweet taste. , adding urgency to their need to get profit margins back up above reinvestment levels. Their unprecedented effort to raise prices in this fourth quarter-- normally a slow demand period--is a sign of that urgency. The more evenly balanced supply/demand scenario that had been predicted for 2003-2004 now appears unlikely. One reason is the growing impact of competitively priced imports from several Asian producers. In addition, there is ample new capacity scheduled to come 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. . Some will come from a marketing agreement between Wellman and Voridian, whereby Wellman supplies amorphous Unorganized or vague. A lack of structure. For example, the amorphous state of a spot on a rewritable optical disc means that the laser beam will not be reflected from it, which is in contrast to a crystalline state which will reflect light. See crystalline. fiber-grade PET to Voridian for solid-stating to raise its I.V. The result will be 260 million lb/yr more bottle-grade PET for the two partners to sell, starting as early as January. Meanwhile, 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 will add 330 million lb of PET capacity near Charleston, S.C., in April. Also coming is the world's largest grassroots PET plant--600 million lb/yr-- to be brought on stream by M&G in mid- mid- pref. Middle: midbrain. 2003 at Altamira, Mexico. Domestic demand growth for 2002 is expected to come out around 8%. For 2003, growth projections range from 7% to 10%. The highest growth is expected in water and juice bottles, where gains could approach 20%. PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. in seasonal slide PVC prices dropped a penny from mid-October to mid-November, putting the total increase for the year at about 9[cents]/lb. Another seasonal loss of 1[cents]/lb is expected this month, ending an almost unprecedented price rise in 2002. Through August, prices had risen 12[cents]/lb. At press time last month, one rigid-PVC processor reported that it had received a strong indication that Shintech planned to announce a 2[cents]/lb hike for Jan. 1. PVC prices are expected to pick up in the spring, buoyed by seasonal demand, continued tightness in VCM VCM Vinyl Chloride Monomer VCM Variable Cylinder Management (Honda) VCM Virtual Channel Memory VCM Value Chain Management VCM Voice-Coil Motor VCM Vehicle Control Module VCM Vignette Content Management monomer, and anticipated tightness in acrylic acrylic, artificial fiber made from a special group of vinyl compounds, primarily acrylonitrile. Acrylic fibers are thermoplastic (i.e., soften when heated, reharden upon cooling), have low moisture regain, are low in density, and can be made into bulky fabrics. impact modifiers for rigid PVC. Contributing factors: The American Plastics Council The American Plastics Council (APC) is a major trade association for the U.S. plastics industry. Through a variety of outreach efforts, APC works to promote the benefits of plastics and the plastics industry. shows PVC demand for the first nine months was up 5.5% over the same period in 2001. But in September demand stalled stall 1 n. 1. A compartment for one domestic animal in a barn or shed. 2. a. A booth, cubicle, or stand used by a vendor, as at a market. b. , dropping 0.5% below September 2001. Resin producers expect 2002 to finish with a 3.5% to 4% increase. For next year they look for more moderate gains of 2.5% to in a still-weak economy, with most of those gains concentrated in the first half year. While no new capacity is slated for next year, industry sources expect Shintech to restart To resume computer operation after a planned or unplanned termination. See boot, warm boot and checkpoint/restart. the 600-million-lb former Borden plant in Addis, La. PS flat for now Flat resin pricing two months in a row is unusual these days, but that appeared to be the case for 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; in mid-November. Orders picked up in October after a very slow September, so prices held steady. Resin suppliers' profit margins remained poor, however, and some of them reported losses. Contributing factors: Processors' profit margins aren't great, either: Some packaging producers say they were able to pass on only about 60% of this year's PS price increases. There is still some overcapacity in PS resin, and industry capacity utilization is in the mid-80% range. But the big unknown for PS is the real price driver, benzene benzene (bĕn`zēn, bĕnzēn`), colorless, flammable, toxic liquid with a pleasant aromatic odor. It boils at 80.1°C; and solidifies at 5.5°C;. Benzene is a hydrocarbon, with formula C6H6. , which accounts for 70% of styrene sty·rene n. A colorless oily liquid from which polystyrenes, plastics, and synthetic rubber are produced. Also called vinylbenzene. monomer cost. Meanwhile, PS enjoyed very strong volume growth in the first half of 2002. PS demand through September was up about 8.5% over 2001. Resin producers expect the year will end up as much as 6% over 2001. Real demand, however, grew a more normal 3% to 4% because much of the first-half surge was to replace depleted de·plete tr.v. de·plet·ed, de·plet·ing, de·pletes To decrease the fullness of; use up or empty out. [Latin d inventories from 2001. Suppliers expect 2003 demand to grow only 1% to 2% in the first quarter and 2% to 3% in the second quarter.
Market Prices Effective Mid-November (a)
RESIN GRADE (b) cents/LB cents/CU IN (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
ANHYDRIDE 188-268 13.8-19.2
EVA
INJECTION 46-52 1.5-1.7
FILM EXTRU 42-49 1.4-1.6
EVOH 265 11.3
FLURO-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 POLYMER
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
NYLON
TYPE 6 124-139 6.2-7.0
MIN FILLED 119-132 5.9-6.6
30% GLASS 150-160 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 6/12 400 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 15.0-15.8
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 2310-3045 124.7-164.4
30% GLASS 2250-2985 130.4-173.0
30% CARBON FIB. 3260-3950 173.6-210.5
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 5.8-5.6
POLYCARBONATE
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
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
POLYETHERKETONE(PEK) 2950 130.1
30% GLASS 2600 153
POLYETHERSULFONE 350-400 17.2-19.7
30% GLASS 425-525 21-25.9
POLYETHYLENE (RAILCAR) LDPE
G-P MOWING
& 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, HAD-BASED
G.P MOLDING 44-46 1.5-1.6
UD RESIN 50-53 1.7-1.8
LINER FILM 45-47 1.5-1.6
HDPE
G-P NJ 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 58-58 1.9-2.0
UHMW-PE 100-125 3.8-3.7
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)
80/2O TDI 110-120 NA (d)
PVC RESIN (RAILCAR)
G-P HOMOPOL 31-34[down arrow] NA (d)
PIPE 29-30[down arrow] NA (d)
FILM 40-42[down arrow] 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
STYRENEACRYLIC 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
CORRES 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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