{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Plastic Resin Buyer Brief","title":"Resin Market Brief – 2026 Forecast Outlook - 12/29/25","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/7f5f2db3\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1804,"description":"As the plastics industry closes out 2025, resin buyers are entering a critical planning window for 2026. In this episode of Resin Market Brief, Michael Workman and Kevin Mekaru break down what the data actually says about where resin markets are headed — and how buyers should be preparing.\nThis is not a headline-driven forecast. It’s a practical, buyer-focused discussion on signals vs. noise, why most resin forecasts miss, and how to use forward-looking intelligence to reduce risk and improve negotiation leverage.\n \nWhat We Cover in This Episode\n• Why resin forecasting is so difficult — and why traditional models fail\n • The difference between real market signals and market noise\n • Why starting with real transaction data matters more than index movement\n• How ResinSmart and RTi build rolling, quarterly forecasts\n• Why confidence ranges matter more than point predictions\n \n2026 Resin Outlook by Polymer Family\n• Polyethylene (PE): Balanced to soft early 2026 with tightening risk mid-year\n• Polypropylene (PP): Near cycle bottom with Q1–Q2 tightening risk tied to PDH reliability\n• PET: Balanced demand with regional volatility and evolving import dynamics\n• Polystyrene (PS): Feedstock-driven noise, weak demand limits upside\n• PVC: Structurally weak entering 2026; housing demand remains the key driver\n• Engineering Resins (ABS, PC, PA6/66): Flat to slightly down early, selective volatility later\n \nKey Takeaway for Resin Buyers\nForecasting isn’t about certainty — it’s about preparation.\nThe buyers who win in 2026 will be the ones who:\nbenchmark fair pricing early,\nre-forecast quarterly,\nseparate supplier narratives from real market conditions, and\nuse forecasts as a negotiation and planning tool — not a crystal ball.\nThis episode is designed to help processors plan with confidence instead of reaction.\n \nLearn more about ResinSmart: https://www.resinsmart.ai\nStart your free trial: https://app.resinsmart.ai/free-trial","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/9sQKF90z4mZMcXCjKzZYFM5EfH2MoBWVj1RDIOBqoTM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82NDZm/ZDZjZDg5MWQwNTVm/NWFiYjczODZhMTYw/NGVjNS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}