North American prices for nylon 6 and recycled high density polyethylene resins moved in different directions in recent weeks.
Regional nylon 6 prices fell an average of 2 cents per pound in May as demand for the material waned along with feedstock prices, market sources said. Prices for the material had fallen a total of 8 cents per pound in the first quarter of 2016, due mainly to lower feedstock prices.
Recycled HDPE prices in the region continue to recover from recent lows and have increased an average of 4 cents per pound since April 1. Higher oil prices and a need to meet sustainability targets have made the material more attractive to processors. Prices already had moved upward a total of 5-10 cents per pound in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
The recent 4 cent increase applies to all grades of recycled HDPE shown on the Plastics News resin pricing chart, including natural, post-consumer pellets and flake and mixed-color post-consumer and post-industrial pellets.