HDPE post-consumer natural pellet prices surged last week on high natural scrap prices.
Business was reported done as high as 76 cents per pound FOB in the southern U.S. for monthly contract orders. Spot offers were 75 cents per pound FOB U.S. South, up from the previous week’s 73 cents per pound.
Natural scrap was firm last week at 40 to 41 cents per pound, with domestic supply tightened by diversions to export markets.
In Southern California, natural pellets were being offered around 59 cents per pound FOB, and the wide price differential between the West Coast and East Coast was reportedly encouraging some material to be moved from the West Coast to the U.S. Southeast for processing.
The prime domestic HDPE resale market saw flat to lower prices at the end of last week, reflecting some speculation of producer discounts by the end of June. Generic prime HDPE BM was quoted at 57 cents per pound railcar delivered. Generic prime HDPE was assessed at 55 to 56 cents per pound.
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