No end to resin price hikes. (Pricing Update).

* Although the worst may be over in soaring oil and natural-gas prices, recent hikes are still percolating through the petrochemical derivatives supply chain. So there's no slowdown in commodity-resin price hikes, and engineering resins are going up too--some of them for the first time in more

PE gets another hike

By the end of March, polyethylene prices had moved up 11Cents/lb since the start of the year. The last steps in that process were the implementation of a 5Cents/lb increase and a 6Cents energy surcharge. That surcharge was due to be lifted on April 1, but suppliers replaced it with a 6Cents/lb increase on March 15. Another increase of 5Cents/lb was also planned for April 15.

Meanwhile, DuPont announced in early March that it would raise prices of several ethylene copolymers and LDPEs, effective immediately or as contracts allow. A 6Cents/lb hike was posted on Bynel, Appeel, Elvax, and Selar copolymers and LDPE. A temporary increase of 10Cents/lb was applied to Surlyn, Conpol, Transcend, Fusabond, and DuPont 20 Series resins. Nucrel acid copolymers got a temporary 6Cents hike.

Contributing factors: Suppliers used the energy surcharge as an attempt to catch up with soaring feedstock costs. They also limited buyers with 60-day price protection to only 30 days. From now on, suppliers apparently want to issue 30-day notice of price hikes and eliminate price protection altogether.

PE resin supply has grown tighter, particularly for LLDPE film grades, for which inventory levels are down to 30 days. Inventories for LDPE and HDPE are reportedly over 45 days.

PP prices strong

Polypropylene prices remain firm, following the implementation of a total of 6Cents to 8Cents/lb in the first quarter. An additional 5Cents/lb price hike nominally was effective April 1. In addition, Solvay Engineered Polymers announced May 1 increases on TPOs of 4Cents/lb in truckloads and 7Cents for ltl shipments.

Contributing factors: Higher propylene monomer costs, tight resin supply, and good demand could serve to bolster suppliers' effort to raise PP resin tabs further. Basell, for example, sent out a letter in late March advising its customers that as of April 1, total increases of 13Cents/lb since January would be fully implemented.

Suppliers' margins remain tight as propylene monomer prices move up and PP resin hikes take longer to implement due to price protection. Polymer-grade propylene was up 8Cents/lb from January through March to a contract-price level of 27.5Cents/lb, while spot prices were at 30Cents to 31.5Cents/lb. Monomer increases of 2Cents to 3Cents/lb have been proposed for April.

Meanwhile, PP resin supply has tightened and is expected to remain snug for the next two years, despite the startup in March of the 775-million-lb/yr ConocoPhillips plant in Linden, N.J.

PVC going up again

PVC producers have supported 2Cents monthly increases in January, February, March, and April. At press time in mid-April, Formosa had announced the same for May 1. (Formosa also hiked dispersion resins 3Cents/lb in March.)

Producers of PVC compounds haven't been able to raise prices as far or as fast. Compounders tried a 3Cents/lb increase for Feb. 15, but PolyOne delayed its increase to April 1, forcing most others to do likewise. PolyOne has since called for a 5Cents/lb hike on May 1.

Contributing factors: VCM supplies tightened as monomer suppliers slashed production during the sudden energy-cost spike of late February and early March. Chor-alkali producers are also trying to raise the price of chlorine, which makes up 60% of the weight of PVC. Anticipating further monomer hikes resin producers are trying to get whatever increases they can during the spring construction season when demand is usually highest. This year, however, PVC demand is spotty and siding sales appear to be slower than in 2002.

Mayhem in PS prices

After starting the year with two 3Cents hikes in January and February, followed by two 4Cents increases in March and April, three of the largest polystyrene producers created havoc for their larger customers by adding a sudden 4cents increase for March 1 without any price protection. It comes on top of the previously announced 4cents increase that did carry price protection. BASF and Dow called their surprise hikes an "energy and raw-material surcharge." While Nova and BASF imposed these surcharges on March 1, Dow gave its customers until March 10. The 4cents surcharges remained in place for April. One of the three suppliers believes the surcharge will come off in May.

Customers got a bit softer treatment from two PS producers that are integrated with oil companies. Chevron imposed only a 2cents TVA on top of the previously announced 4cents hike. Fina added another 4cents to its announced 4cents for March 1 but retained price protection.

Contributing factors: The brief oil-price spike and continued high benzene prices drove suppliers to impose the 4cents surcharge. Because market demand is strong during the spring high season, PS buyers must swallow their distress about having their contracts pushed aside.

Engineering resins go up

DuPont and Rhodia joined BASF in nylon price hikes. DuPont's increase of 10% became effective April 15. Rhodia sources say they'll raise prices 7cents/lb this spring.

DuPont followed the lead of BASF and Ticona by raising acetal tabs 10% April 15.

In addition, DuPont added 10% to prices of Rynite PET and Crastin PBT on April 15. BASF, Ticona, and GE had already hiked PBTs, generally by 9cents/lb.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) from BASF and Noveon also went up 5cents on April 15. Bayer will boost prices of its TPUs and TPU alloys by an undisclosed amount on May 1. TPU prices have not generally increased since the fall of 2000. Dow has not yet issued a price increase on TPUs, and Huntsman could not be reached for comment.

Eastman hiked its specialty polyesters and copolyesters by another 7cents/lb on May 1. Eastman last raised prices on its DuraStar, Provista, Eastar, Ecdel, Eastalloy, Spector, Eastapak, and Eastman products on March 1.

In addition, Eastman raised tabs of Tenite cellulose acetate by 7cents/lb on May 1.

Market Prices Effective Mid-April (a)

RESIN GRADE (b)             cents/LB       cents/CU IN (c)

ABS

 MED IMPACT                   62-82            2.4-3.1
 HI IMPACT                    72-85            2.7-3.2
 X-HI IMPACT                 82-105            3.1-3.9
 HI HEAT                      85-95            3.2-3.6
 PIPE                         58-62            2.2-2.3
 SHEET                        75-90            3.0-3.7
 TRANSPARENT                 125-165           4.9-6.4
 FITTINGS                     65-78            2.4-2.9
 PLATING                     95-105            3.5-3.9
 FLAME RET                   105-135           4.6-5.9
 STRUCT FM                    83-97            3.6-4.3
 10% GLASS                   125-140           5.0-5.6
 30% GLASS                   116-136           5.3-6.3
ABS/PC ALLOY                 135-165           5.6-6.8
ABS/PVC ALLOY                130-135           5.8-6.1
ABS/NYLON ALLOY                190               7.3

ACETAL

 HOMOPOL                     130-147           6.7-7.3
 20% GLASS                   160-220          9.0-12.4
 COPOLYMER                   133-137           6.8-7.0
 25% GLASS                   160-215          9.2-12.3

ACRYLIC

 G-P                         72-102            3.0-4.3
 IMPACT                      130-191           5.4-7.9

ACRYLONITRILE COPOL

 EXTRUSION                   101-116           4.0-4.6
 INJECTION                   120-135           4.5-5.4

ALKYD                         65-75            4.9-5.5

CELLULOSICS

 ACETATE                       187               8.6
 CAB                           184               7.9
 CAP                           184               7.9

DAP (G-P)                    251-497          16.3-34.7

EPOXY

 G-P RESIN                   116-126           NA (d)
 COMPOUNDS
 C/B/T (e)                   123-166          9.4-12.9
 R/C/D (f)                   208-271          15.3-20.1
 SEMICONDUCTOR
  NOVOLAC                    193-228          13.1-15.9
  ANHYDRIDE                  188-268          13.9-19.2

EVA

 INJECTION                    46-52            1.5-1.7
 FILM EXTRU                   42-49            1.4-1.6

EVOH                           265              11.3

FLUORO-POLYMER

 CTFE                         4500              346.6
 ECTFE                      1400-1600        108.3-123.8
 ETFE                       1100-1600        73.6-107.1
 FEP                        925-1400         71.3-107.9
 PFA                        1700-2400        131.6-185.8
 PTFE                        450-900          34.8-69.7
 PVDF                        650-800          41.4-50.9

IONOMER

 PACKAGING                   127-166           4.3-6.0
 INDUSTRIAL                  150-244           5.0-8.3

LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS

 INJECTION
 MIN FILLED                 690-1035          44.2-72.1
 GLASS FILLED                695-895            40-52
 CARBON FILLED              1700-2000        83.2-138.6
 UNFILLED                   1000-1200           58-70
EXTRUSION
 UNFILLED                   1200-2200        60.5-110.9

MELAMINE COMPOUND             90-94            5.5-5.6
MELAMINE/PHENOLIC
COMPOUND                      75-83            4.5-5.0

NYLON

 TYPE 6                      124-139           6.2-7.0
 MIN FILLED                  119-132           5.9-6.6
 30% GLASS                   150-160           7.2-7.7
TYPE 66                      140-155           7.4-8.2
 MIN FILLED                  140-148           7.4-7.8
 30% GLASS                   180-190           8.8-9.3
TYPE 69                      250-276          9.7-10.7
TYPE 6/10                    286-313          12.4-13.6
TYPE 612                       400              15.3
 30% GLASS                   309-311            14.7
 40% GLASS                     309              14.7
TYPE 46                        295              12.6
TYPE 11                      329-341          13.6-14.1
 30% GLASS                   331-350          15.0-15.8
 40% GLASS                   347-360          17.7-18.5
TYPE 12                      318-341          12.1-13.0
 30% GLASS                   327-350          14.7-15.8
 50% GLASS                   299-340          15.6-17.8

TRANSPARENT AMORPHOUS        247-360          10.3-15.0

PHENOLIC MOLD COMP          55.5-87.5          2.8-4.0

 REINFORCED GRADES         100.5-267.5        6.0-15.9
POLYAMIDE-IMIDE (g)
 UNFILLED                   2310-3045        124.7-164.4
 30% GLASS                  2250-2985        130.4-173.0
 30% CARBON FIB.            3260-3950        173.6-210.5

POLYARYLATE                  200-280          8.8-12.3
POLYARYL-
SULFONE                        440              21.8

POLYBUTYLENE

  G-P                         94-96              3.1
  FILM                        88-91              2.9
  PIPE
   COLOWATER                 116-120           3.9-4.0
   HOT WATER                 162-166           5.5-5.6

POLYCARBONATE

  INJECTION                  138-165           5.9-7.0
   20% GLASS                 177-190           7.6-8.2
   30% GLASS                 178-217           7.6-9.3
  EXTRUSION                  127-145           5.4-6.2
  BLOW MOLD                  140-170           6.0-7.3
  STRUCT FOAM                149-181           6.4-7.8
   20% GLASS                 235-255          10.1-11.0
  FR                         166-197           7.1-8.5
  CD                         82-100            3.5-4.3

POLYESTER (TP)
 PBT TYPE

  UNFILLED                   143-150             6.9
  HI-IMP                     154-165             7.6
  30% GLASS, FR              165-187            10.0
  STRUCT FOAM                159-165           NA (d)

PET

 BOTTLE (RAILCAR)             63-67            3.2-3.4
MOD PET
  30% GLASS                  132-143             7.4
  55% GLASS                  148-155             9.8
  30% GLASS,
   FLAME RET                 147-157             9.2
 PETG COPOL                  114-124           5.2-5.6

POLYESTER
 THERMOSET

  G-P ORTHO                   53-57            NA (d)
  ISOPHTHALIC                 70-80            NA (d)
  BIS-A                      120-150           NA (d)

PEEK                          4400               231

  30% GLASS                   3300               173

POLYETHER-
IMIDE                        641-646          29.3-29.5

 30% GLASS                   526-531          24.0-24.2
POLYETHER-
 KETONE (PEK)                 2950              130.1
  30% GLASS                   2600               153
POLYETHER-
 SULFONE                     350-400          17.2-19.7
  30% GLASS                  425-525           21-25.9

POLYETHYLENE
 (RAILCAR)
 LDPE

  G-P MOLDING
   & EXTRU                    63-66            2.1-2.2
   INJECTION                  63-66            2.1-2.2
   LID RESIN                  64-67            2.1-2.2
    LINER                     62-65              2.1
   CLARITY                    60-62              2.0
   EXTRU COATG                63-65              2.1
   BLOW MOLD                  64-67            2.1-2.2

LLDPE,
BUTENE-
BASED
 G-P MOLDING                  49-51            1.6-1.7
 FILM                         51-53            1.7-1.8
 ROTOMOLD                     53-55              1.8
LLDPE,
HAD-BASED
 G-P MOLDING                  55-57              1.9
 LID RESIN                    61-64            2.0-2.1
 LINER FILM                   56-58              1.9
HDPE
 G-P INJ MOLD                 50-52            1.7-1.8
 FILM                         59-61            2.0-2.1
 BLOW MOLD                    53-55            1.8-1.9
HMW-HDPE
 BLOW MOLDING                 60-62              2.1
 FILM                         63-65              2.2
 PIPE                         67-69            2.3-2.4
 UHMW-PE                     100-125           3.6-3.7

PPE/PPO-
BASED RESIN

 INJECTION                     180               6.8
 20% GLASS (h)                 283              12.3
 30% GLASS (h)                 291              13.3
 EXTRUSION (h)                 242               9.2
 STRUCT FM                     231             NA (d)

PPS

 40% GLASS                   340-385            20-23
 55% GLASS/
  MINERAL                    275-295             18
 65% GLASS/
  MINERAL                    205-260            15-19

POLY-PROPYLENE
(RAILCAR)

 G-PHOMOPOL
  INJECTION                   45-47            1.5-1.6
  EXTRUSION
   FIBER                      44-46            1.4-1.5
 PROFILES                     46-49            1.5-1.6
 RANDOM COPOL
  BLOW MOLDING                50-52            1.6-1.7
 FILM                         48-52            1.6-1.7
  INJECTION                   47-49              1.6
 IMPACT COPOL
  MED IMP                     60-63              1.9
  HI IMP                      63-66            1.9-2.0

POLYSTYRENE
 (RAILCAR)

G-P CRYSTAL              50-57 [uparrow]  1.8-2.1 [uparrow]
 HI HEAT                 49-56 [uparrow]  1.8-2.1 [uparrow]
HIPS                     52-58 [uparrow]  1.9-2.2 [uparrow]
 SUPER HI IMP            62-68 [uparrow]    2.3 [uparrow]
 FR                      87-98 [uparrow]  3.2-3.7 [uparrow]
 STRUCT FM (FR)               91-93              NA

EPS

 UNMODIFIED              80-82 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 MODIFIED                82-85 [uparrow]       NA (d)

POLYSULFONE                  430-510          19.2-22.8

10% GLASS                    605-610           27-27.2
30% GLASS                    555-560           24.8-25

POLYURE-
THANE (TP)

 ESTER TYPE                  185-255            8-11
 ETHER TYPE                  245-295           10.6-13
                                -                 -
PU
ISOCYANATES

 POLYMERIC MDI               105-115           NA (d)
 80/20 TDI                   110-120           NA (d)

PVC RESIN
(RAILCAR)

 G-P HOMOPOL             38-39 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 PIPE                    34-37 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 FILM                    46-48 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 COPOLYMER
  FLOORING               46-48 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 DISPERSION
  HOMOPOLY               59-63 [uparrow]       NA (d)
  COPOLYMER              65-67 [uparrow]       NA (d)
 CPVC PIPE
  COMPOUND                     119             NA (d)

PVDc

EXTRUDABLE                     162             NA (d)

SILICONES
 MOLD. COMP.                 581-640          38.1-39.3
 SPECIALTY GR.              891-3143           NA (d)
 SILICONE/EPOXY              339-343          22.5-22.8

STYRENE-
ACRYLIC                      108-112           3.7-4.0

SAN (G-P)                     66-74            2.5-2.8

STYRENE
MALEIC
ANHYDRIDE

 G-P                         110-115           4.2-4.3
 HI IMP                      130-140           4.2-4.5
 FR                          175-183           6.7-7.0

TP ELASTOMERS

 OLEFINIC                     70-76              2.4
 POLYAMIDE                   287-337          10.4-12.3
 POLYESTER                   200-310          8.8-13.6
 STYRENIC                    83-237            2.9-8.3

UREA MOLDING
COMPOUND

 BLACK & BROWN                67-78            3.6-4.1
 WHITE & IVORY                 72                3.8

VINYL ESTER

 COR RES                       147             NA (d)
 HEAT & COR RES                161             NA (d)


KEY: Colored areas indicate pricing activity. An arrow ([down arrow])
indicates direction of price change.

(a)Truckload, unless otherwise specified.

(b)Unfilled, natural color, unless otherwise specified.

(c)Based on typical or average density.

(d)Not applicable.

(e)Novolac and anhydride grades for coils, bushings, transformers.

(f)Novolac and anhydride grades for resistors, capacitors, diodes.

(g)In quantities of 20,000 lb. (h)19,800-lb load.