📋 Market Update: Resin prices are on the move in 2026. Here’s what’s happening, what it means for your orders, and how to plan ahead with confidence.
The plastic sheeting industry is navigating a period of rising resin costs in early 2026 — and we think you deserve a straight, clear explanation of what’s driving it, where things stand, and what you can do to protect your projects and your budget.
The good news? While prices are climbing, they are doing so from historically low 2025 levels. PE resin is still roughly 15% below where it was a year ago, and PP remains about 9.5% below year-ago levels. This isn’t a crisis — it’s a market correction, and with a little planning, it’s entirely manageable.
By the Numbers
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| PE up to +$0.10 / lb | Polyethylene contract target increase for March 2026 — from a low 2025 baseline |
| Up to +20% | Plastic additive & stabilizer price increases announced by major global producers |
| PP +$0.11 / lb | Polymer-grade propylene spike — highest level since early 2025, still below year-ago levels |
| PE still ~15% below 2025 | Context matters — this increase comes off historically low resin pricing |
What’s Driving the Increases?
Five major factors are converging at the same time to push resin costs higher:
🌍 1. Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Geopolitical tensions have disrupted global petrochemical feedstock supply chains, tightening the availability of ethylene and propylene — the core building blocks of PE and PP resins. A surge in international demand has compounded the shortage, pushing spot prices higher in a short window of time.
🏭 2. Planned & Unplanned Plant Shutdowns
Multiple major resin producers have undergone planned preventative maintenance shutdowns in Q1 2026. Unplanned outages at additional facilities have temporarily reduced available domestic supply, accelerating price movement beyond what seasonal patterns would normally dictate.
🚢 3. Rising Freight Rates
Global shipping costs have increased across trade lanes, adding incremental cost pressure to imported materials and finished goods throughout the supply chain — from raw resin pellets to the finished sheeting products you order.
⚗️ 4. Plastic Additive Price Increases
Major global chemical producers have announced increases of up to 20% on antioxidants, process stabilizers, and light stabilizers used in plastic manufacturing. These additives are essential to the performance and durability of plastic sheeting — their cost increases filter into finished goods pricing.
📊 5. Tariff & Trade Uncertainty
Ongoing shifts in trade and tariff policy are creating pricing unpredictability for suppliers. Many are building in a buffer to protect against further changes, which adds incremental cost pressure throughout the market.
How Is Each Resin Type Performing?
Not all resins are moving equally. Here’s where things stand across the types most relevant to plastic sheeting as of mid-March 2026:
| Resin | Trend | Est. Movement | Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE — Polyethylene | ↑ Rising | Up to $0.10 / lb | Primary material in plastic sheeting films |
| PP — Polypropylene | ↑ Rising | $0.11 / lb | Used in woven & specialty sheeting |
| PVC | ↑ Moderate | Moderate increase | Industrial & clear sheeting products |
| PS — Polystyrene | ↑ Moderate | Moderate increase | Rigid sheeting & panels |
| PET | → Stable | ~$1,100–$1,250 / MT | Polyester-based films |
What Americover Is Doing for You
We’ve been monitoring these market developments daily and have worked hard to absorb as much upstream cost pressure as possible. Our supplier relationships and purchasing scale allow us to negotiate more effectively than smaller distributors — and we’ve used every tool available to protect your pricing for as long as we can.
Where adjustments are unavoidable, you’ll hear it from us first — with context, with lead time, and with options. We are committed to being the most transparent partner in the industry throughout this period.
How to Plan Ahead
💡 A little planning goes a long way right now. Customers who get ahead of these changes will be in a much stronger position heading into Q2.
- Order sooner rather than later — locking in current pricing on upcoming projects is the simplest way to protect your budget.
- Stock up on high-usage items — if you have predictable demand, getting ahead of it makes strong financial sense right now.
- Talk to your sales rep — volume discounts, consolidated freight shipments, or blanket order options can stretch your budget further.
- Stay informed — bookmark this page. We’ll update it as market conditions develop.
We’re In This With You
We know that cost increases — even modest ones — create real headaches for your projects and your bottom line. That’s exactly why we believe in being upfront about what’s happening in the market rather than letting you find out when an invoice lands.
The plastic sheeting market has been through volatile periods before, and it always stabilizes. What sets Americover apart is how we respond — not quietly adjusting prices and hoping you don’t notice, but telling you directly, in plain language, with the data to back it up, so you can make the best decisions for your projects and your business.
We’re grateful for your trust and your partnership, and we’ll keep earning it every day.