The first half of 2024 has been tough for the CA reclamation industry struggling with the high cost of bales and the impact of cheap imports of PET virgin, rPET flake and pellet. However, the latest global geo-political issues have caused an increase in freight prices, resulting in a slow down of cheaper imported materials.
Bale demand stands relatively unchanged in the U.S., with end-use markets failing to pick up steam at the start of the typical high season. Bottle-to-bottle demand has also been slow ahead of summer due to stagnant economy conditions that are seeing sluggish end-user demand.
One positive announcement is the potential for US tariffs on PET imports that could strengthen domestic markets by making locally-produced goods more competitive, potentially spurring growth.