Featured Coverage: ‘Historic’ Plastic Price Hikes Are Pushing Companies to the Edge

Christine Barnhart was recently featured in Barron’s discussing the ripple effects of rising plastic prices across global manufacturing and consumer markets.

The article examines how elevated oil prices and tightening supply dynamics are pushing polyethylene prices to historic levels, placing increased pressure on companies that rely heavily on plastic packaging and materials. Industry experts note that many businesses are struggling to pass higher costs through quickly enough, leading to short-term margin compression and operational challenges.

The conversation also highlights how market volatility is reshaping profitability across the plastics ecosystem, from consumer brands and packaging suppliers to North American resin producers benefiting from lower-cost feedstocks.

Read the full article in Barron’s: ‘Historic’ Plastic Price Hikes Are Pushing Companies to the Edge