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Resin prices moved in opposite directions in March, with polypropylene dropping four cents per pound and polystyrene rising two cents, said senior reporter Frank Esposito. He noted that industry experts warned future tariff changes and the U.S.’s reliance on benzene imports could further affect pricing for polystyrene.
President Donald Trump's new reciprocal tariff plan appears to exempt several key plastic resins, including PE, PP, PET and PVC, suggesting an effort to protect the U.S. resin trade from international retaliation.
PVC resin prices rose for the second straight month in March driven by seasonal demand ahead of the construction season. While construction typically makes up 60 percent of PVC demand, early 2025 has seen unexpectedly strong demand from other sectors like windows, doors and siding, said senior reporter Frank Esposito.
In the March 18 Polymers Points Live, senior reporter Frank Esposito predicted a big price drop for polypropylene in March, flat prices for polyethylene and polystyrene, and potentially higher prices for PET and PVC.
Bill Wood breaks down the economic outlook heading into a major policy shift, as sweeping new tariffs are set to take effect on April 2 under President Donald Trump. Wood emphasizes the uncertainty ahead, saying no one can predict how the market will react once the tariffs are in place.
North American polypropylene resin prices continued their upswing in early 2025, moving up an average of 4 cents per pound in February.
Borealis and Borouge are merging and also acquiring Nova Chemicals in a deal that will establish the world’s fourth-largest polyolefins player. The deal will enhance the company’s feedstock position, giving it more capacity in the Middle East and North America.
Nova Chemicals and Novolex are getting ready to open a mechanical recycling facility for plastic film in Connersville, Ind.
The U.S. plastics industry is off to a rough start in 2025, with production declining as demand weakens Plastics News Economics Editor Bill Wood points out in this free video. A slowdown in the auto and housing sectors is driving the downturn, while manufacturers increasingly turn to alternative materials like glass and paper. With economic uncertainty ahead, the industry faces ongoing challenges.
In this week’s Material Insights, Plastics News senior reporter Frank Esposito talks about the market forces that may spell higher prices for polyethylene, polypropylene, PET and polystyrene resins.
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