Your Business Recycle Pricing - September 2007

Recycle Prices Up a Little But Mostly Stable

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.”

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

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.