U.S. prices for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the plastic most widely used in construction, are set to rise by 5 cents per lb. in the first two months of 2014. This is a significant price increase in a market that will see producers end the year with a net five-cent increase in their 2013 margins, according to PetroChem Wire’s PVC & Pipe Report.
These higher raw material costs could have a significant impact on prices for many consumer goods, most notably plumbing pipe and vinyl siding. Also supporting these rising prices are the stronger prices for ethylene used to make PVC as well as PVC export markets.