Prices for recycled high density polyethylene pellets have declined the past couple months in North America.
Prices for mixed-color post-consumer pellets and mixed-color post-industrial pellets have both declined 2 cents per pound, according to sources in contact with Plastics News.
The mixed color post-consumer pellets range is now 57-61 cents and the mixed color industrial pellets is 26-30 cents. These changes are shown in this week's PN resin pricing chart.
"At the end of the year, companies are getting caught with extra inventory going into next year," a consultant in the Midwest said.
"I'm optimistic that I'm not overly crazy that that business demand will be better in 2024," the consultant added.
HDPE is expected to make a recovery in 2024, but throughout 2023 has been declining or staying steady due to a surplus of available material.
"After the first of the year the numbers will change and we'll start seeing that we're gradually going into a recession," a materials supplier in the Southeast U.S. said "Whether it's going to be a soft landing or not, I can't tell you that."
