Recycled-Polyethylene Terephthalate (R-PET) markets across USA showed little movement during July 2025. Traders reported stable conditions as the month progressed without major price swings affecting regional trading hubs.
Markets opened quietly in early July. R-PET prices held their ground from the previous week with buyers maintaining their usual order patterns. Most regions saw consistent trading activity.
The second week brought a slightly more positive tone to R-PET markets. Food and beverage packaging companies continued placing regular orders. Spring buying season typically generates more activity, but this year buyers remained cautious about increasing volumes.
Supply conditions stayed favourable for R-PET producers throughout the monitoring period. Recycling facilities had adequate PET bale inventories to meet current production needs. Plants along the East Coast and in the Midwest operated normally without any challenges.
West Coast markets faced different pressures. Ongoing exports to Mexico continued to draw material away from domestic buyers. Meanwhile, Eastern regions maintained better supply-demand balance.
Packaging markets provided solid support to the R-PET demand. Company mergers and acquisitions continued, signalling confidence in the sector. Box shipments dropped in the first quarter, but flexible packaging growth offset some of the decline. Food pouches and films led the flexible packaging recovery.
Rising steel and aluminium tariffs pushed more manufacturers toward lighter materials. This shift helped R-PET maintain its competitive position against alternative packaging options.
Some challenges emerged by the third week. California recyclers were running below half capacity. New tariffs also reduced Chinese imports, which could tighten supply in coming weeks.
Electronics companies kept buying R-PET at steady rates. Consumer electronics grew modestly with regular sales in phones, tablets and computers. iPhone volumes dropped from last year, but other companies still needed R-PET for packaging, housings and internal components.
Recycled pellet imports continued at normal levels. Latin American suppliers maintained their market presence, though domestic R-PET producers kept production on schedule.
Collection programs worked smoothly. Curbside pickup stayed within typical ranges while bale quality remained acceptable. This supported steady operations at recycling facilities producing R-PET.
The R-PET market did not see any changes during the fourth week, as both demand and supply conditions continued to be normal.
Market players expect R-PET to stay in its current trading range. Adequate feedstock and stable production support this view. Two factors could change the outlook: California plants operating at reduced rates and new import restrictions affecting supply.
R-PET markets proved resilient during July 2025. Packaging and electronics demand remained steady while supply was continuous without any issues. Regional differences existed between coast markets, but overall market balance was maintained across USA.
