Prospector Resin Blend
September 27, 2006 |
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In
this issue:
Try this issue's featured search: Resin Cost
This issue is all about plastics pricing ... period!
Warmest wishes,
The IDES Prospector Team
1. What's Really Going on with Plastics Prices?
Resin sellers and buyers have been on a wild ride over the past couple years. Hoards of plastic price increases have pervaded the plastics industry making the job of producing plastic parts all the more challenging. Will the situation improve over time? Can molders expect some degree of predictability with regard to the price they pay for resin? There is compelling evidence suggesting that the situation may, in fact, worsen over time leading to a much different buyer/seller landscape in the industry.
Read the full article.
2. Competitive Offset Grades of Plastic
Processors aren't the only ones feeling the sting of resin price increases. Distributors, brokers, and yes, even resin manufacturers are being squeezed by the increased price of petrochemicals. Just like processors, resin suppliers are in stiff competition, so whenever they increase prices, it may be at the cost of staying competitive. Distributors may find clients looking to other companies that carry lower priced product lines. On a similar note, Manufacturers may find that their distributors start selling more of a competitor's resin to satisfy the processor's demand for lower prices.
If you're selling plastic, this atmosphere of bargain shopping doesn't necessarily mean that all your business is going to disappear. If customers are in the mind set of finding a better deal, it’s an opportunity to find some new business.
Read the full article.
3. Sources for Plastics Pricing
- Street Price
Every day resin buyers anonymously submit the price they pay plastics At the end of each month, IDES gathers this information and organizes it into the plastic street price report.
- Spot Market
View the latest research on Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polystyrene provided by The Plastics Exchange. The report includes historical spot market resin price data and information and is updated monthly.
- Futures Market
A monthly report of the futures market that includes Polyethylene and LDPE provided by the London Metal Exchange.
- PN Pricing Chart
Frank Esposito provides an ongoing comprehensive pricing report for Plastics News subscribers. He conducts scores of phone calls every week, contacting officials at resin processors and producers, as well as consultants and analysts who follow the industry, to learn if prices are going up or down or staying right where they are.
4. Poll Results: Where's Plastics Pricing Headed?
Yesterday on its website, Plastics News polled visitors, asking, "Which way do you think resin prices are headed in the next six months?" Here are the results:
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