Don Loepp

2 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Frank Esposito

The U.S. resin sector is experiencing significant disruption in early 2025 due to a combination of tariffs, feedstock costs and unstable domestic demand. In the May Polymer Points Live, senior reporter Frank Esposito explained how key materials including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and PET have all been impacted, plus he shared his outlook for the coming months. (See video below)PE, PP and PS buyers saw price decreases in April. PVC settled flat.

2 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Frank Esposito

North American polyethylene buyers saw long-awaited market shifts in April, driven by slower demand and global tariff uncertainty, according to Frank Esposito, senior reporter. Producers adjusted output as exports stalled, leaving companies uncertain about the months ahead. Want to dig into the numbers yourself? All Access subscribers can now download three years of detailed resin pricing data directly from PlasticsNews.com.

3 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp

Details about tariffs on the plastics supply chain seem to change daily. Tariffs are likely to significantly affect plastics companies’ costs, supply chains, pricing strategies and global competitiveness. Plastics News held a PN Live editorial livestream on May 14 to explain the latest information and answer viewers’ questions.

3 weeks ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Frank Esposito

Polypropylene prices fell significantly in April, following a 4-cent drop in March, according to senior reporter Frank Esposito. The decline is tied to weaker demand and falling feedstock costs, especially polymer-grade propylene, amid broader economic uncertainty and tariffs. He notes softness in key end markets like automotive and Canadian finished goods, but he suggests domestic demand could rise in the coming months. Want to dig into the numbers yourself?

1 month ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp

Plastics get a bad rap most of the time, so it's refreshing to see the industry getting some positive attention. The Economist magazine kicked off the trend last month with a package of stories that echo the man-bites-dog theme that plastics aren't as bad as most people think. Headlines include "Plastics are greener than they seem" and "Don't overlook the many benefits of plastics." The stories include arguments and data that are familiar to our readers, but seldom get attention in other media.