Quick Packaging News

  Reducing operating costs through packaging – it should come as no surprise that businesses will want to control operating costs in the tough economic climate. However, many people will not always pinpoint packaging as a big business cost. But the right packaging solution can drastically cut operating costs in a number of areas, including warehousing and transport, as well as labor costs and damages. So, reducing costs in packaging will be a key trend in 2023! Putting carbon reduction at the heart of packaging strategies – sustainability has become more and more important to businesses, as well as consumers. In fact, 27% of consumers reported that they won’t buy from companies who don’t use sustainable packaging. On top of this, more businesses are focusing on serious carbon reduction, which is a key in the fight against climate change. When it comes to packaging, materials matter, but so do the carbon emissions associated with the manufacturing and use of the packaging. In 2023...

North America:  Contract PE prices settled higher by 4.0 cents per pound in January as sellers achieved the increase they have been pursuing since September of last year. PE producers have announced their intent to increase contract prices by an additional 4.0 - 5.0 cents per pound in February. Domestic demand appears to be recovering as buyers restock inventories that were depleted at year end. Resolution of the settlement was complicated by the fact that the January negotiations were characterized by multiple diverging market indicators. Factors cited by sellers in support of a price increase included the following: 1.       Reduced inventory levels: IHS Market inventory analysis indicates that PE resin days of inventory have declined in each consecutive month since July 2018. As of December, the calculated resin days of inventory stood at 36.1 days and reflected the fewest days of available inventory since February 2017. The referenced...

Spot Polyethylene trading ended April with a flurry as still rising prices sent buyers to procure in a hurry. PE prices rose $.01/lb across the board, except for LDPE for film, which gained an extra half-cent. It is typical to see this premium expand in rising markets. Most market participants expected April PE contracts to roll flat, but a major consultancy assessed April contracts up $.03/lb, adding a level of confusion to PE pricing.   The Plastics Exchange, had already turned bullish on Polyethylene, so while we think that the current pricing action is awkward, we have nothing to complain about. It now seems that April contracts could very well be confirmed up $.03/lb and there is another $.03/lb increase on the table for May – which will make for some interesting producer / processor discussions. More info at: www.quickpakinc.com