Dow Chemical raises January US polyethylene prices by 5 cents/lb: company letter

The Dow Chemical Company will increase the price for all its polyethylene resins sold in the US by 5 cent/lb as of Jan. 1, 2021, the company told customers in a letter obtained by S&P Global Platts.

The rise will be in addition to its previously announced price increase of 5 cent/lb as of Dec. 1, which will be implemented as well, the company said in the letter Dec. 15.

The company was unavailable for immediate comment on the letter Dec. 16.

In general, sources expected producers to keep their prices stable into the new year.

"It's the end of the year and demand is withering," one source said.

US spot export PE pricing was unchanged on the day Dec. 15 after Platts assessed low density PE at $1,157-$1,179/mt FAS Houston, linear low-density PE butene at $893-$915/mt FAS Houston and high density PE blowmolding at $981-$1,003/mt FAS Houston.