Plastics prices

In 1994 in the U.S., recycled PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PS had a 16—46% cost advantage (4). This cost advantage largely disappeared by 1996. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate U.S. plastics prices in mid-1997 are seven percent below those of mid-1995 after being more than ten percent less in 1996... 

PVC Resin Price. PVC resin prices tend to be more stable than other plastics prices, pardy because only about half the molecule is based on hydrocarbon raw material sources. Figure 13 compares PVC prices to other plastics prices Figure 14 illustrates PVC prices over several years. 

Fig. 9-3 Example why fillers become more attractive as plastic prices go up.

To maintain reasonable price stability, even with a continued downward drift of plastics prices, new markets must be developed to consume new plastics, as well as absorb the overcapacity for some, which has been a challenge to us in recent years. 

SwOptions, Plastics price protection programs, Koch Chemical International... 

Good resources to follow fluctuations in plastics pricing, for both virgin and recycle, include ... 

Price swings, particularly in the PET and HDPE markets have contributed to a retrenchment in the U.S. plastics recycling industry in 1995—1997... 

These lower prices make it more difficult for recycled plastics to compete with virgin resins in the absence of legislation mandating plastics recycling. 

Shipment, Storage, and Price. Butynediol, 35% solution, is available in tank cars, tank trailers, and dmms. Stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, glass, and various plastic and epoxy or phenoHc liners have ak been found satisfactory. Rubber hose is suitable for transferring. The solution is nonflammable and freezes at about —5°C. 

Adipic acid is a very large volume organic chemical. Worldwide production in 1986 reached 1.6 x 10 t (3.5 x 10 lb) (158) and in 1989 was estimated at more than 1.9 x 10 t (Table 7). It is one of the top fifty (159) chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume, with 1989 production estimated at 745,000 t (160). Growth rate in demand in the United States for the period 1988—1993 is estimated at 2.5% per year based on 1987—1989 (160). Table 7 provides individual capacities for U.S. manufacturers. Western European capacity is essentially equivalent to that in the United States at 800,000 t/yr. Demand is highly cycHc (161), reflecting the automotive and housing markets especially. Prices usually foUow the variabiUty in cmde oil prices. Adipic acid for nylon takes about 60% of U.S. cyclohexane production the remainder goes to caprolactam for nylon-6, export, and miscellaneous uses (162). In 1989 about 88% of U.S. adipic acid production was used in nylon-6,6 (77% fiber and 11% resin), 3% in polyurethanes, 2.5% in plasticizers, 2.7% miscellaneous, and 4.5% exported (160). 

Table 4. Prices and Manufacturers of Plasticizer Range Alcohols...

In 1992 the price of alumina trihydtate varied from 0.25—1.35/kg. Alumina trihydtate is the least expensive and least effective of the flame retarders. It is only about one-fourth to one-half as effective as the halogens. Usually about 50—60% of alumina trihydtate is needed to obtain some acceptable degree of flame retardancy. It is also limited to plastics that ate not processed higher than 220°C. 

Economics. The price of mbber modified flexible PVC foam ranges between about 2.00 to 3.00 per board foot ( 800—1200/m ) and that of unmodified, plasticized PVC foam is about 0.70 to 2.50 per board foot ( 300— 1000/m ) depending on the volume, thickness, and density of the product. 

Zinc arc spraying is an inexpensive process in terms of equipment and raw materials. Only 55—110 g/m is required for a standard 0.05—0.10 mm Zn thickness. It is more labor intensive, however. Grit blasting is a slow process, at a rate of 4.5 m /h. AppHcation of an adhesive paint layer is much quicker, 24 m /h, although the painted part must be baked or allowed to air dry. Arc sprayed 2inc is appHed at a rate of 9—36 m /h to maintain the plastic temperature below 65°C. The actual price of the product depends on part complexity, number of parts, and part size. A typical price in 1994 was in the range of 10—32/m. ... 

Textile. Textile bags are made from natural fibers such as cotton and burlap (see Fibers, vegetable). Burlap or Hessian cloth is woven from jute fibers. Because the supply of jute and, consequendy, its price have been uncertain for many years, textile bags gradually have been replaced by various combinations of textile components with plastic or paper, multiwaH paper bags, or plastic bags (see Textiles). 

Phthalocyanine pigments account for approximately 23% of the total worldwide organic pigment consumption of 225,000 tons. Approximately 20,000 t are used in printing inks, 10,000 t in paints, 9,000 t in plastics, 3,000 t in textiles, 7,000 t in dyes, and 2,000 t in specialty uses. Table 1 shows the worldwide distribution of cmde phthalocyanine capacity. The production history of phthalocyanine in the United States from 1980 to 1990 is given in Table 2 (161). The 1990 prices of phthalocyanine blue and green pigments were ca 11—22/kg and 21—27/kg, respectively. 

The widespread sales of this plasticizer are a redection of its all-around plasticizing performance and its provision of adequate properties for a great many standard products. It possesses reasonable plasticizing efficiency, fusion rate, and viscosity which, coupled with the normally competitive price, go a long way to explaining the popularity of this plasticizer. Some concerns have been periodically raised as to the possible toxicity of this material, but it can be said that these concerns are often related to the vast and widespread study of the toxicity of DEHP. 

As weU as imparting improved fire retardancy these materials may also result ia volume cost savings if they can be purchased for a lower price than the commodity phthalate. Precise knowledge of the compatibiHty between standard plasticizers and chlotinated paraffins is requited because some mixtures become iacompatible with each other and the PVC resias ia use at certain temperatures. Phthalate—chlotinated paraffin compatibiHty decreases as the molecular mass of the phthalate and the plasticizer content of the PVC formulation iacrease. Many compatibiHty graphs are available (1). 

The principal worldwide manufacturers of nylon resins are given in Table 6. Total sales of nylon plastics in the United States and Canada in 1993 were 331,000 metric tons (37). West European sales were 352,000 t and Japanese sales 220,000 t (37). Figure 7 shows how sales in the United States have steadily increased since 1967 (38) and also how the price of nylon-6,6 has changed (39). The effect of the oil price rises, the boom of the mid-1980s, as well as the oil price reduction and the recession that followed are clearly evident. Table 7 shows the variation of price across different polyamide types. 

Fig. 7. U.S. nylon plastics consumption (—) and nylon-6,6 price (-) from 1967—1994. 1992 and 1993 consumption figures include Canada.

Poly(vinyl chloride). PVC is one of the most important and versatile commodity polymers (Table 4). It is inherently flame retardant and chemically resistant and has found numerous and varied appHcations, principally because of its low price and capacity for being modified. Without modification, processibiUty, heat stabiUty, impact strength, and appearance all are poor. Thermal stabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers, impact modifiers, and other additives transform PVC into a very versatile polymer (257,258). 

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