Current situation:
- Producer prices for HDPE pipe were up 0.1% M/M (down 0.6% last month) and were down 0.5% Y/Y (down 1.8% Y/Y last month). Plastic pipe fittings and unions were down 0.1% M/M (down 0.6% last month) and were up 2% Y/Y (up 4% last month).
Key factors that could affect supply or price:
- Pricing may have bottomed out and resin producers are pushing increases for both June and July, some pipe producers have announced modest increases. Although business is good, pre-virus volumes (particularly in plumbing) have not recovered, and waterworks, which had been strong, have recently seen a decrease in demand. Pipe producers are pointing to the fact that many distributor inventories have been a little lean and are starting to restock on the cautious optimism that business will continue to pick up.
