Increased internal recycling of HDPE crates by soft drink manufacturers and distributors reduced the volume of crates entering the recycling stream of municipalities and materials recovery facilities and, thus, cut open-market regrind supply but also sharply lowered demand.
Mixed colors and black HDPE injection crate regrind continued to trade at parity, and most business reported last year in East Coast markets was mixed colors. At the close of 2016, HDPE injection crate regrind was 27 to 29 cents per pound FOB East Coast, down from 39 to 40 cents per pound at the end end of 2015.
In the prime HDPE market, year-end prices were little changed amid thin trade due to the holidays. Surplus prime PE inventory was targeted for export and December volumes were mostly done in late November and early December. Off-grade HDPE pail/crate availability was static at 48 cents per pound. No consensus was reached at the end of the month on December prime PE contract pricing.
For a free trial to PCW’s Weekly Recycled Plastics Report, Weekly PVC & Pipe Report or Daily Report on prime resins, monomers and NGLs visit the PetroChem Wire website at petrochemwire.com. You can also contact Cindy Bryan at cindy@petrochemwire.com or 713-385-1407.
