Early 2026 Resin Risk: Why Structure Matters More Than Demand
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Show Notes
In this episode of Resin Market Moves, Michael Workman, Executive Director of ResinSmart, walks through the key risks shaping the North American plastic resin market in early 2026.
Rather than a demand-led recovery, markets are being driven by:
- supply discipline in polyethylene
- feedstock volatility in polypropylene
- cost push without demand support in polystyrene
- rising raw material costs beneath stable pricing in ABS and polycarbonate
- early supplier initiatives in nylons
- and continued buyer leverage in PET
Michael also shares insights from MD&M West 2026, where medical device manufacturers emphasized the high cost of pricing surprises in regulated, long-cycle environments — and why benchmarking is becoming the preferred first step.
This episode focuses on risk, structure, and discipline, not price predictions — and offers a framework buyers can use to navigate 2026 with confidence.