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December and this month to range from flat to 2-3¢/lb higher. He noted that imported ABS continues to be competitive but not by much. Characterizing the domestic ABS market as fairly well balanced, he expected ABS demand to be steady in 2018. PC MOVING UP Polycarbonate prices remained flat through 2017's third and fourth quarters, after moving up 10-20¢/lb in the first two quarters. But bids of a 14¢/lb price increase for Jan. 1 were tied to the end-of- year spike in benzene prices. However, RTi's Kallman noted that the increase—which was not supported industrywide at press time—did not equate to the benzene increase but was an attempt at margin expansion. "As suppliers' inventories build from improved plant produc- tion, I expect most buyers will be able to negotiate significantly lower reduction than the 14¢ sought," Kallman said. In addition, he noted that there were significant PC imports in 2017, which were expected to continue strongly into this year due to major capacity expansions in Asia, making for a more competitive envi- ronment. He predicted that PC demand growth would continue into this year, though perhaps not reaching 2017 levels, driven by automotive, electronics, and construction. NYLON 6 & 66 UP Nylon 6 prices gained 5¢/lb in November, after moving up 2-7¢/lb in the second quarter and holding flat from July through October. RTi's Kallman expected prices in December to rise another 5-8¢/lb. The swiftly implemented November increases were attributed to strong demand and some limitations in feedstocks availability following Hurricane Harvey. Moreover, there was further pressure from higher global prices of both benzene and caprolactum. Yet he expected prices to decline through the first quarter as benzene availability improves. Nylon 66 prices in October and November were flat to higher. Some increases were pushed through distribution channels, although most held flat for 2018 contract negotiations, according to Kallman. Overall, he expected nylon 66 buyers to see increases of 5-10¢/lb, though one supplier was asking for 14¢. Kallman ventured that once increases were implemented this month, first-quarter pricing would likely be flat. Kallman sees continued demand growth for nylon 66 driven by key markets such as automotive, and characterized the market as balanced to a bit tight. The Search is Over! All the plastics and additives in the world and the knowledge to select them —and it's all available through the Universal Selector on PTonline.com! • CONTACT SUPPLIERS • GET SAMPLES • DOWNLOAD TECHNICAL DATASHEETS THE RESINS SELECTOR : THE ADDITIVES SELECTOR: search 116,000+ technical datasheets search 38,000+ technical datasheets PTonline.com/materials 80 JANUARY 2018 Plastics Technology PTonline.com YO U R B U S I N E S S Resin Pricing Analy sis QUESTIONS ABOUT MATERIALS? Visit the Materials Zone and the Materials Database.