Plastics News
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Feedstock, carbon footprint, demand imbalance disrupt global resin markets
Recent strategic moves by resin makers could change the look of the global materials market, especially in Europe.
Earlier this month, LyondellBasell Industries of Houston launched a strategic review of assets of its European olefins and polyolefins, intermediates and derivatives business units. Officials said the assessment will evaluate those assets “through the lens of the company’s strategy” to grow and upgrade its core businesses.
The assessment also will be aimed at building a circular and low-carbon-solutions business and improve performance and culture, they added.
Slowing growth, overcapacity may lead to cutbacks in Asia’s chemical industry
An increasing number of Asian plastics and chemicals plants could be closing their doors this year because of slowing growth.
The petrochemicals industry now realizes that demand will not improve measurably anytime soon to offset low margins, ICIS chemical analytics vice president Alex Lidback said last week at the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Seoul.
Lidback’s comments were included in a report from ICIS, a global consulting and data firm based in Houston.
“Margins for most products are suffering,” he said. “It’s very difficult to grow your way out of excess capacity.”
Lidback cited excess capacity growth in recent years, particularly in China, as reasons for the current market downturn. The Asian market now has overcapacity in ethylene, propylene, ethylene glycol, paraxylene and styrene — all of which are resin feedstocks.
Future demand drives up post-industrial PP pellet prices
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/recycled-pp-prices-rise
North American prices for post-industrial polypropylene have been increasing over the first two quarters of 2024.
On average, recycled PP pellet prices have increased by 5 cents per pound, according to sources in discussion with Plastics News. This will bring the current range to 50-52 cents.
These changes are shown on this week’s PN resin pricing chart.
The 2024 plastics industry accounts you should be following
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/social-media-accounts-follow-2024-plastics-industry
Social media is vast, and time is limited. Outside of friends, family and business connections, what are some of the interesting accounts worth following in the plastics industry?
Here’s a roundup of a few worth adding to your feed, whether you prefer LinkedIn, podcasts, Instagram or newsletters.
Mergers & Acquisition Tracker
Updated list of merger and acquisition deals within the plastics industry. Details include the buyer and the company or assets being purchased, along with a link to read more about each transaction.
Plastics industry speaks up to support domestic supply chain
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/plastics-industry-speaks-support-domestic-supply-chain
Plastics industry trade groups and businesses are urging federal officials to adopt trade and investment policies that support specialty materials for EV batteries, mold building and recycling to make the supply chain more resilient.
Material manufacturers Arkema Inc. and Solvay America LLC are calling for support of domestic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) production to strengthen the domestic EV supply chain against foreign entities of concern (FEOC) and protect investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
PVDF plays important roles in powering batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries (LIB), and in the semiconductor market. The material is used as binders and separator coatings that enable higher voltages and resist high temperatures.
- Recycling and Sustainability:
European recycled prices rise, but can’t match higher costs
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/european-recycled-prices-rise-cant-match-higher-costs
Standard recyclate producers in Europe are struggling to pass higher raw material costs to converters because of ongoing low demand and competition from low-priced imports.
The recycled PET sector has seen the largest price increases, but input costs increased at a faster rate in May, squeezing recyclers’ profit margins. Recycled PET clear flake prices increased by €150 per metric ton in April and have gained a further €40 per tonne this month. Recycled PET clear food-grade pellet prices have increased by €100 per tonne over the two months with colored flake prices up by €60 per tonne over the same period. Recycled PET is benefiting from an upturn in volume calls and the higher cost of virgin material.
The price upturn for other classes of standard recyclate over the last two months is much lower. Recycled low density polyethylene prices have increased widely from just €10 per tonne for black extrusion pellets to €60 per tonne for natural film. Recycled high density PE prices have increased by €20-30 per tonne and recycled polypropylene prices are up by €20-40 per tonne. Recycled high impact polystyrene prices have risen by €40 per tonne.
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
Link to May/June Issue:
https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWMayJun24/html/index.html
Post-industrial Recycling: growth opportunities
The impact of recycling production waste is being felt everywhere, from compounding and film extrusion to injection molding, stock shapers, and event PEX pipes.
The latest developments in post-industrial recycling (PIR) represent large steps towards a more sustainable and circular approach to plastic waste management.
Additives improve mixed recycling feedstock
Compatibilizers and coupling agents act at the interface of dissimilar materials to improve processing and properties.
One of the challenges for plastics recycling is that different types of polymers doesn’t always mix well together. The resulting blend may have processing difficulties, poor appearance, or poor physical properties. Mixed materials are a concern for post-consumer recycling and also post-industrial or post-consumer recycling of multilayer materials.
Integrated size reduction on show at NPE 2024
At the NPE 2024 exhibition in Florida in May, developers of shredding technology for waste plastics showed new units with improved throughputs, versatility, and reliability.
An increasingly diverse range of waste materials is being met with an array of solutions from shredder suppliers. A crop of combination shredder-granulator units joins innovations in the rotor, knife, cutter, motor, and control designs for standalone shredder units designed for downsizing large and small products.
Upcoming Events:
AMI Plastics Recycling World Expo – Europe
September 11 – 12, 2024
Brussels, Belgium
For details and to register: https://eu.compoundingworldexpo.com/enquire-about-exhibiting
AMI Plastics Recycling Technology
October 23 – 24, 2024
Vienna, Austria
For details and to register: https://www.ami-events.com/event/bc7e919f-830f-4c9b-9963-e5ca9f7f7b47/summary?RefId=Advert_AMI_magazine
AMI Plastics Recycling World Expo – North America
November 13-14, 2024
Cleveland, Ohio
For details and to register: https://na.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor
