PetroChem Wire: Recycled polystyrene price declines

Recycled polystyrene (PS) prices followed the general downward trend of all recycled resins in June, with prime material readily available.

Prices continued to soften in July, with the price erosion more apparent in the flake market than in the pellet market. Prices for mixed color flake material were around 53-54 cents per pound in mid-July, down from the 56-58 cents per pound range in late June. High impact polystyrene (HIPS) black flake was reported offered at 54-55 cents per pound in mid-July, down from late-June levels closer to 58-60 cents per pound. HIPS black pellet was quoted at 70 cents per pound mid-July.

In the prime market, spot HIPS pricing fell 3 cents per pound in June, but stabilized in July. Producers have announced increases of 10 cents per pound for prime polystyrene for August, based on higher benzene feedstock prices.

For more information about PetroChem Wire's Repro/Regrind Resin Report and daily prime grade polymers and monomers report, or to arrange a free trial subscription, contact Cindy Bryan at cindy@petrochemwire.com or (713) 385-1407. To see sample issues of PCW publications, click here.

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