This month’s update highlights innovation in healthcare, continued momentum in mobility, and mixed dynamics across resin markets. Healthcare advances include new PPE systems and expanded drug delivery capacity. In mobility, EV partnerships grow alongside evidence of their environmental benefits. Resin markets remain under pressure, with PP and PE seeing soft demand, PS influenced by feedstocks, PC challenged by oversupply, and ABS adjusting to tariffs and steady demand.
MARKET SPOTLIGHT
Healthcare
Kaysun, Stryker Team Up on New Surgical Helmet System - Custom injection molder Kaysun partnered with Stryker to develop the Steri-Shield 8 surgical helmet, designed for comfort and performance in the operating room. The helmet features customizable fitting points, improved airflow, and accommodations for longer hair, making it more user-friendly. Despite a tight 12-month timeline, the collaboration overcame molding and validation challenges, delivering a new PPE system that enhances surgeon safety and usability. 1
Inhalers, Auto Injectors Focus of Gerresheimer AG’s Expansion Investment - Gerresheimer AG is investing $180 million to expand its Peachtree City, Georgia, facility, adding cleanroom capacity and automation to boost inhaler and auto injector production. The two-stage project includes a new 83,000-square-foot building and a future 110,000-square-foot plant near Atlanta, creating 400 jobs by 2025. The expansion supports long-term customer contracts and strengthens Gerresheimer’s footprint in the growing U.S. medical device market. 2
Mobility
Foxconn EV Still on Track for U.S., Adds New OEM Partner - Foxconn remains committed to launching its Model C electric crossover in the U.S., starting production in Taiwan while seeking a U.S. plant. The company also announced a partnership with Mitsubishi Fuso to co-develop electric buses in Japan, expanding its EV footprint. Despite tariffs and incentive challenges, Foxconn is leveraging its contract manufacturing model to win global auto partnerships. 3
New Study Proves EVs Are Always Cleaner Than Gas Cars - A University of Michigan study confirms that EVs produce fewer lifetime emissions than gas cars, even accounting for battery production and grid power. Results show large electric trucks emit less CO₂ than compact gas sedans, and location-based factors like grid mix and climate can magnify benefits. The study underscores electrification as a stronger emissions-reduction lever than downsizing vehicles. 4
PRODUCT NEWS
Polypropylene
PGP was down $0.02/lb. in August. CDI and CMA both reported out down $0.02/lb. as well.5, 6
CDI is estimating that PGP will be down $0.01/lb. in September and up $0.005/lb. in October.5
ACC & CDI report operating rates at 80.1% and DOH at 39.3 days in July. Operating rates increased by 6.1% & DOH increased by 3.9 days from June.5, 7
Export6: Even though PGP dropped $0.02/lb. in August, demand for polypropylene did not improve. Local producers have become more competitive in pricing, keeping pressure on exports.
Mexico6: Buyers are cautious, purchasing week-to-week instead of monthly, as distributors hold ample inventory. Market sentiment is bearish, with expectations that prices will continue to decline through year-end.
Polyethylene
PE settled flat in August. CDI and CMA both reported flat as well.5, 6
CDI is estimating PE to be flat in September and flat in October.5
Some suppliers have issued price increase letters for September at $0.05/lb.
ACC and CDI report operating rates at 97.0% (varies by segment) and DOH at 45.1 for all of PE in July. Operating rates for all PE increased by 1.2% and DOH increased by 3.2 days (all PE) from June.5, 7
Export6: With demand softening and prices rolling flat, there was no perceptible uptick in sales. Terminals and bagging facilities are operating at regular capacity after earlier logistical bottlenecks had them running at full capacity, indicating a slow in demand.
Mexico6: Customers are sticking to essentials as prices fall, and local producers' unreliable start/stop operations and swing production have left them a weak competitor. Market outlook points to continued downward pressure on PE prices through year-end.
ABS5
August ABS contract prices remain unchanged, but the low end price was adjusted higher.
Tariffs push into ABS imports, specifically from Taiwan and South Korea.
Feedstocks continue to see downward movement.
Freight rates continue to have a downward trend. Increases are not anticipated from the second U.S.-China tariff pause.
Demand is steady, with some sectors improving over others.
Ineos Addyston, OH, facility closed on July 31, 2025.
Polycarbonate5
PC August contract prices are forecasted to rollover.
PC total demand is 9% lower year-to-date versus 2024.
PC market is oversupplied globally.
U.S. PC exports are predominantly to Mexico and Canada.
Polystyrene5
Declining feedstocks put downward pressure on September PS prices at producers.
IHS settled up $0.025/lb. and CDI/ICIS is reporting up $0.02/lb. after August saw most of the producers increase their prices.
July ACC data finalized with increases in both supply and demand.
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