Quick Packaging News

  As of late March 2026, plastic resin prices are experiencing a sharp upward surge due to significant supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs. Commodity resins such as Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) have seen contract prices jump by as much as $0.10 to $0.11 per pound in March alone, with even larger increases announced for April. Commodity Resin Market Trends (March 2026) Market analysts attribute the current volatility to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, specifically the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has choked off global supplies of oil and gas. Polyethylene (PE): Contract prices increased by $0.10/lb in March. Major producers like Dow Inc. have already announced a further $0.30/lb hike effective April 1, 2026, while LyondellBasell is seeking a total increase of $0.35/lb through May. If you have any questions about product availability, pricing, or your current orders, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Quick Pak Inc accoun...

The Polyethylene market kept its active trading pace supported by a small step up in demand. There were relatively heavy offerings of wide spec railcars, while prime material was made available from resellers looking to dish off a portion of their forecasted commitments.  Most PE grades dropped another penny with the exception of LLDPE Film, which managed to hold flat on the week. As expected, contract prices for Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) came in flat at the end of April. The settlement for the month was not delayed like previous months. Not to say the settlement was any less contentious, but in the final days of April, producers made the decision easier by deciding to push the proposed $0.05 increase for April to May. Looking at the supply and demand for the month, both buyers and suppliers have good reasons to press their cases. Buyers push for lower prices was dominated by talk of soft domestic demand, declining production cash costs, enhanced production capa...

 Polyethylene Resin Pricing News.   Polyethylene trading was more active, and our spot pricing was steady to another cent lower. Transactions were well spread across LDPE and LLDPE, both film and injection grades, while HDPE transactions were a challenge to complete.  Off grade railcar offers streamed in and suppliers remained willing to discount heavily to move material. We have seen several rounds of aggressive sales into the export market and there was another this past week. Plastics Pricing News

Buyers reported that resin availability is improving but certain grades such as LLDPE C6 and HDPE.  Blow Molding remain tight. Production in the US continues to improve with reports that most units are up and running as ethylene supply improves due to crackers coming online. However, several plants are not back to full production with reports of two major producers running at about 80% of the pre-freeze levels due to mechanical/feedstock limitations. Several resin producers are indicating inventory levels should improve in May, resolving many of the force majeure events but allocations are likely to continue through June. Price increases for all PE grades of 5-6 cpp have been communicated to the domestic market effective May 1, 2021. Domestic HDPE spot prices (FOB Houston Railcar) were reported in the range of 83-87 cents per pound (cpp) on a notional basis. LLDPE butene resin prices were reported in the 80-84 cpp range (down 1 cpp) and LDPE was reported flat with prices in the ran...