Material Insights

Today we have news from the 2023 PN Executive Forum: A top resin distributor talks about how sustainability is changing the plastics market, and material suppliers are among the top places to work in the plastics industry.

PVC and polystyrene resin prices have already settled for February, with increases for both materials. Feedstock prices and seasonal construction activity were factors, Frank Esposito explains. While the economy may be slowing, North American buyers may be restocking; there’s more on that in the video.

Bottled water consumption is slowing, but it’s still growing, according to the latest data. Also, in our February Plastics in Politics Live, Steve Toloken recaps the plastics legislation in Congress.

Polyethylene resin prices had an unexpected boost in January. PET bottle resin prices also rose a few cents last month even with bottling season still coming up. Frank Esposito stops by Material Insights to dive into more information behind these somewhat surprising changes.

Plastics suppliers are again dealing with nasty weather that knocked some plants offline in January. 

The plastics market forecast for 2023 is shaping up to be another interesting year. Economics Editor Bill Wood stops by this week's Material Insights to share what to expect this year as the U.S. plastics industry navigates higher interest rates, lowering demand and inflation.