Polyethylene trading was about average; there were offerings for most grades, but not in over-abundant volumes. Offgrade was more available than Generic Prime and the market ticked a penny higher across the board. Producers are taking another shot at their $.04/lb increase that didn’t take hold in April, while processors are instead looking for some relief from the $.09/lb hike endured in the 1st quarter.

Domestic Polyethylene demand w... [More]

There was a significant increase in spot Polypropylene trading and prices advanced $.015/lb. Firming monomer markets will limit the May PP decrease to only $.01-.02/lb. The spot market seemed to have bottomed in early May and has recently found further support from stronger exports, lifting the floor in the US. Domestic processors that worked their inventories too low expecting more price erosion were also back in the market with both hands. [More]