Resin Market Brief – 2026 Forecast Outlook - 12/29/25

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.This 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. What We Cover in This Episode• Why resin forecasting is so difficult — and why traditional models fail • The difference between real market signals and market noise • Why starting with real transaction data matters more than index movement • How ResinSmart and RTi build rolling, quarterly forecasts • Why confidence ranges matter more than point predictions 2026 Resin Outlook by Polymer Family• Polyethylene (PE): Balanced to soft early 2026 with tightening risk mid-year • Polypropylene (PP): Near cycle bottom with Q1–Q2 tightening risk tied to PDH reliability • PET: Balanced demand with regional volatility and evolving import dynamics • Polystyrene (PS): Feedstock-driven noise, weak demand limits upside • PVC: Structurally weak entering 2026; housing demand remains the key driver • Engineering Resins (ABS, PC, PA6/66): Flat to slightly down early, selective volatility later Key Takeaway for Resin BuyersForecasting isn’t about certainty — it’s about preparation.The buyers who win in 2026 will be the ones who:benchmark fair pricing early,re-forecast quarterly,separate supplier narratives from real market conditions, anduse forecasts as a negotiation and planning tool — not a crystal ball.This episode is designed to help processors plan with confidence instead of reaction. Learn more about ResinSmart: https://www.resinsmart.ai Start your free trial: https://app.resinsmart.ai/free-trial