North American prices for recycled high density polyethylene pellets have increased early 2024.
On average, prices for recycled HDPE have increased by 3 cents, according to market sources in discussion with Plastics News.
Prices for mixed colored post-consumer pellets increased by 2 cents; mixed colored post-industrial pellets increased by 4 cents and natural post-consumer pellets increased by 3 cents.
These changes are being shown on this week's PN resin pricing chart.
Throughout the second half of 2023, a surplus of material meant buyers were seeing price decreases for recycled HDPE.
"I think it's going to continue to slowly increase. I think the way the economy is growing the strength of the consumer dollar of other consumer buying," said a consultant from the East Coast.
"In the markets, they want more recycled content, so they are cleaning out supply," added the consultant.
A manufacturer in the Midwest noted that virgin HDPE prices were flat in December, which helped demand for recycled resin.
"But it depends if you're automotive or if you're packaging," the source said.
