Historically, companies have used post-consumer resin (PCR) because it was a lower cost feedstock than virgin. In recent years, however, pricing for virgin plastic (mostly “wide spec” resin) has fallen below that of PCR (mostly high quality PCR that is suitable for food contact).
PET and HDPE bales are fetching lower prices than they were a month ago, but PP and high-grade film have shown stability.
Prices for PET and natural HDPE have been relatively flat lately, with more movement seen in color HDPE and PP.
The past month has brought a softening of prices for one key recovered resin but relative stability for another.
The price of natural HDPE seems to have leveled out at a historically low level, falling only 0.6% over the past month.
The price of natural HDPE has decreased by nearly 5% over the past month, but color HDPE and PET have shown stability.
