Kickstart: Frightful weather for resins

With a forecast of extreme cold and snow across much of the United States, some resin makers have started shutting down operations to make sure they don't see a repeat of winters past.

Research group ICIS says at least five sites in Texas have begun to shut down while others have started "winter protocols" for operations.

The companies want to avoid damage from an early 2021 winter storm that led to shutdowns and supply chain disruptions.

Chemical plants along the Gulf Coast aren't built with extreme cold in mind, so production can be interrupted anytime temperatures drop below freezing. Baytown, Texas — home to multiple resin plants — is expected to drop to 25° F or colder overnight during the Christmas weekend.

A Dow Inc. spokesman said the Midland, Mich.-based materials company is monitoring the forecast and preparing sites for severe weather.

"Our U.S. Gulf Coast sites are currently operating safely based on demand levels and per our freeze preparedness plan," he told PN's Frank Esposito in an email. "Our top priority is the safety of our people and our communities."

Toy sales for kids may be down in 2022, but there's another group of toy fans bringing new purchasing power to the industry: adults.

These "kidults," as researchers at NPD Group term them, buy toys to play with themselves rather than just handing them over to children. In 2020, kidult buyers made up 27 percent of the toy market, up from 16 percent in 2016.

These buyers are willing — and able — to buy upgraded toys for themselves. In a report on public radio's Marketplace, Marissa Silva, editor in chief of The Toy Insider, notes that the plastic pegs and light toy Lite-Brite for kids costs $15 to $20. Lite-Brite wall art, designed for adults, costs $100.

To follow up on an earlier item from Frank Esposito, Chase Plastic Services Inc. has revealed which four charities will receive $2,500 each from the company's annual Giving Card campaign.

Chase customers and suppliers nominate charities to receive a donation.

Winners for 2022:

Twenty-Two Until None, a nonprofit focused on ending suicide in the veteran and military community by providing emergency financial assistance, benefits advocacy and referrals.

Benjamin's Hope, specializes in options for adults affected by autism and developmental disability, ensuring individuals of every ability can live, learn, play and worship in the ways that fit them best.

K9s for Warriors provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma, with the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters.

Tails of Hope provides service dog training for disabled individuals, special needs children, wounded veterans and first responders.

Just a note here that Plastics News (and Kickstart) will be taking a holiday break starting Friday, Dec. 23. We'll pick up again Jan. 3.

During this time, plasticsnews.com will be updated with any breaking news, but regular emails and updates will be on hold until 2023. Sign up for emails to be alerted.

But look out for the 2022 version of The Book, Plastics News' final print issue of the year, with updated processor rankings, association contacts and other highlights from this year, set to be mailed out the week of Dec. 25.