Frank Esposito

Cleveland, Wickliffe

Senior Staff Reporter at Plastics News

Senior Reporter at Plastics News

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Articles

Avon Lake-based Avient retains optimism for its 2025 outlook

6 days ago | crainscleveland.com | Frank Esposito

Even after posting a first-quarter loss, Avient Corp. officials are optimistic about the second quarter and the remainder of 2025. First-quarter sales at Avon Lake-based Avient essentially were flat at $826.6 million vs. the like quarter in 2024. But the firm posted a first-quarter loss of $19.9 million after making a profit of $49.7 million in the like period in 2024.
Avient retains optimism for 2025 outlook

6 days ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Even after posting a first-quarter loss, Avient Corp. officials are optimistic about the second quarter and the remainder of 2025. First-quarter sales at Avon Lake, Ohio-based Avient essentially were flat at $826.6 million vs. the same quarter in 2024. But the firm posted a first-quarter loss of $19.9 million after making a profit of $49.7 million in the same period in 2024.
Shell to make PE using recycled plastic feedstock at Pennsylvania site

6 days ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Shell Polymers will use pyrolysis oil derived from recycled plastics to make polyethylene resin at its complex in Monaca, Pa.The pyrolysis oil will be supplied by Freepoint Eco-Systems, which operates an advanced recycling plant in Hebron, Ohio.
Resin makers raise prices as ATO shortage drives up costs

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Tight global supplies of antimony trioxide (ATO), a key flame retardant additive, are prompting price hikes for flame-retardant plastic resins in North America. In a letter to customers obtained by Plastics News, Sabic officials said prices for Valox-brand flame retardant polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Cycolac-brand flame retardant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) will increase by $1 per kilogram — about 45 cents per pound — effective May 19.
Kraton lays off 91 as it closes Ohio site, exits specialty nylon business

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Kraton Corp. will close its plant in Dover, Ohio, eliminating 91 jobs as it exits its dimer and polyamides business lines, officials announced May 7. The company, based in The Woodlands, Texas, said in a news release that it will shutter the site and discontinue production of dimer fatty acids and specialty nylon resins.
Sluggish demand, lower feedstock costs drive down PP resin prices

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Lower feedstock costs and sluggish demand sent North American polypropylene resin prices down an average of 6 cents per pound in April. That drop matches a price drop for polymer-grade propylene (PGP) feedstock. PP prices had been down 4 cents in March after increasing a total of 9 cents in the first two months of 2025.
Mohawk anticipates $50M tariff bill on China-made luxury vinyl tile

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Flooring supplier Mohawk Industries Inc. expects to pay $50 million in 2025 because of tariffs placed on its luxury vinyl tile products that are made outside of the U.S."At the current 10 percent [tariff] rates, we estimate Mohawk will incur an annualized cost of approximately $50 million, which we expect to address through price increases and supply chain adjustments as needed," Chairman and CEO Jeff Lorberbaum said in a May 1 earnings news release.
Vinyl Me, Please shutting down before building planned record pressing plant

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

Music subscription service Vinyl Me, Please may have played its last song. The Denver-based firm had planned to open its own record pressing plant, but now is liquidating its assets. Vinyl Me, Please first announced plans for the plant in May 2022. A May 5 article on music news website clashmusic.com said the proposed pressing plant "seemed to cause financial issues" that led to the liquidation. The article added that in 2024, subscribers started to report a delay in deliveries.
Under new ownership, Amcor plans shutdown of Berry molding site in Alabama

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Frank Esposito

A Berry Global Group Inc. injection molding plant employing 112 people in Lanett, Ala., will close this summer. The closing was listed on a workforce adjustment retraining notification statement for Alabama businesses. Based on that notice, the closing process is set to begin July 1. The plant primarily makes lids and pails, according to a January 2024 article on the website of the Valley Times-News.
Polystyrene prices fall 5 cents as oil and benzene costs slide

1 week ago | plasticsnews.com | Don Loepp |Frank Esposito

Polystyrene resin prices dropped an average of 5 cents per pound in April, driven by falling feedstock and oil costs, according to senior reporter Frank Esposito. Demand remains soft in 2025 as lower-cost resins like polypropylene continue to gain market share. Join Frank on May 20 for more resin insights in our next Polymer Points Live. And don't miss our free PN Live on tariffs and the plastics industry. Letter to the Editor Do you have an opinion about this story?