| RECYCLED RESIN PRICES |
| |
Pellets
¢/lb |
Flake
¢/lb |
| PET Bottles (Clean) |
|
|
| Clear Post-Consumer |
64-69 |
55-58 |
| Green Post-Consumer |
52-56 |
44-47 |
| HDPE (Clean) |
|
|
| Natural Post-Consumer |
57-62 |
53-58 |
| Mixed Colors |
44-49 |
40-43 |
| Polystyrene |
|
|
| Post-Consumer |
|
|
| High Impact |
|
|
| Black |
52-62 |
53-56 |
| Natural |
60-65 |
– |
| General Purpose |
|
|
| Black |
43-45 |
35-40 |
| Natural |
60-65 |
42-46 |
| Polypropylene |
|
|
| Post-Industrial |
36-39 |
33-45 |
| Post-Consumer |
51-55 |
47-52 |
| Polyethylene Film |
|
|
| Post-Industrial |
|
|
| LDPE |
43 |
– |
| LLDPE |
|
|
| Clear |
43-53 |
– |
| Mixed Color |
27-40 |
– |
| PVC |
|
|
| Post-Industrial |
|
|
| Flexible |
45-55 |
37-39 |
| Rigid |
60-73 |
36-47 |
This summer was busy for HDPE and PET recyclers, with no sign of the expected slackening of demand caused by the housing market slump. Export prices were stable. “We’re coming into the busy season right now,” says one recycler, “so all materials are pretty much in demand. I expect the market to remain steady for the rest of the year. Prices may even go up a little.”
R-HDPE in demand
Recycled HDPE prices have been less volatile in recent months, but buyers still saw price increases in the last quarter of 4¢ to 5¢/lb for both natural and mixed pellets. “It’s because there is not enough material to go around,” industry sources explained. Demand has been strong. “Even with housing slow, one major pipe company told me they are still going to have a growth year. They can sell to highway projects, for example,” one recycler said. “High export demand for virgin resin is keeping recycled prices fairly high, and everybody is able to sell what they make,” another reprocessor said.
R-PET stable
Recycled PET prices have stayed pretty much where they were during last quarter, although some markets may have seen a penny increase. Demand for flake seems to be stronger than for pellet, which is a sign of oversupply in virgin resin, according to one observer.
R-LDPE is up but stable
Recycled LL/LDPE prices are up about 3¢/lb this last quarter. The main driver behind the higher prices has been export demand, sources said. Prices are expected to remain near today’s level for the near future.
