Study asks if new resin can get to where it needs to go

Two longtime industry consultants are taking a look at the logistics of the polymers market, especially in light of new capacity.

"North American Polymer Logistics: Congestion & Opportunities" is the title of the new study co-authored by Polymer Consulting International — led by Robert Bauman — and ChemPMC, which is led by Esteban Sagel.

"Polyethylene plants are already starting up," Bauman said in a recent email. "These will continue to start up ahead of the crackers so they are lined out and fully operational when the crackers start up.

"By year-end, there should be around 3 million tons per year of new polyethylene capacity," he added. "The trick will be to get the production from the plant to the customer."

Topics covered by the study include announced projects, feedstocks, rail, highway freight transportation, waterways transportation and packaging. The study is expected to be available in January.

"A key point is that customers need to be aware of these issues, and may even want to take some pro-active action to ensure that they are not caught short because of delivery problems," Bauman said.

Bauman has 51 years of plastics and chemicals market experience, while Sagel has worked in the industry since 1994.