Current situation:

• Producer prices for HDPE pipe were down 0.7% M/M (down 0.1% last month) and were down 4.5% Y/Y (down 3.5% Y/Y last month).  Plastic pipe fittings and unions were unchanged M/M (down 0.3% last month) and yet were up 3.7% Y/Y (up 5.1% last month). 
• The HDPE industry is still expected to grow at a 3.8% CAGR from 2019-2024 according to Lucintel. 

Key factors that could affect supply or price:

• Resin increases have been announced for January.  Some pipe and fitting producers have already announced price increases that will go into effect before year-end. Expect all the other producers to follow quickly.