International Plastics - Blog

Poly Resin Price Increases… Justified or Greedy? – Part 2

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:38:02 +0000

Well, here we go again! I guess everyone is already getting the letters, emails and faxes about the resin being on the rise again! Of course, just in case you didn’t get an “official notice”, I am positive you have filled up your car within the last three weeks; unless you drive one of those electric ones and in that case, are you going to be in for sticker shock!! Gas is on the rise, but, the price of crude oil has dropped. What is wrong with this picture? The mild winter? Perhaps! But, we cannot enjoy a stable market now can we?! What would be the fun in that? The resin producers have cut back on production, part in order to drive up the price!! Low Inventories?? Sure….because you cut production!! Let’s recap…no hurricanes this summer…a mild winter. Can’t you picture these guys all sitting in a room with their three piece suits on trying to figure out how to get this next increase Justified? Well, like it or not, it is here! I guess we should be thankful it is as small as it is for the low density polyethylene market because the polypropylene market is taking an absolute beating right now! Six more cents on top of the January increase of five cents. Eleven cents in two months, okay, considering the PP market just got hit with .15 cents inside of one month! Order early and often as there is another increase on the table for March and it is for 7 cents. You know, if the suits get their way, it will be coming our way the first part of March and not the end!! Justified? Or Just Plain Greedy? You be the judge.

Chart provided by The Plastics Exchange. http://www.theplasticexchange.com

Plastic Packaging Bag’s – Poly Resin Price Increases… Justified or Greedy?

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:38:57 +0000

For the last 6 months of 2011, resin producers were hard at work each month trying to push through price increases. Month after month they tried and failed, as the market wouldn’t bare it. The summer did not produce any hurricanes that warranted the spikes in the market as previous years, much to their chagrin! The mild start to the winter has yet to give way to the huge increases they were expecting for December 2011 – January 2012. Are the resin producers seriously justified in their recent pushes for nearly .18/lb? Was the recent 5 cent/lb increase their plan all along?? They kind of snuck it in on us while everyone was enjoying time off with their families during the holidays! After all, that 5 cent/lb was only attempted 8 previous times…why not push it through when no one is looking? Should we be grateful it was only 5 cents and not the original .18? January is not over yet, I know…Be careful…the temperatures are starting to dip. Any excuse they can take will be taken, that is what we have learned over the years! The flip side is that we did enjoy a very soft 6 months in 2011. So, you be the judge…Justified? Or, Just Plain Greedy? Remember, the most consistent thing about our market is its inconsistency!!

P.S. As this was being written, resin producers pushed and got another .06/lb. increase for January contracts and are not stopping there. So far 2012 it’s looking like a full .11/lb. will stand and who knows how far up it will continue as they are pushing for .05/lb. more for February contracts. All of these increases affect custom poly bags and film pricing pretty much as they happen. However, because of our large inventory of finished goods, we are able to hold current pricing on all stock poly bags and ziplock bags. Eventually you can count on increases there too.

Check back for the most up to date market information frequently. Also check out Plastic Industry News Page for more information on pricing.

LDPE - Film Resin Price Chart

Chart provided by The Plastics Exchange.

www.ThePlasticsExchange.com

We will openly discuss the fluctuations across the polyethylene market that will provide transparancy to the flexible and plastic packaging market pricing. As always, your comments are welcome!

By: Lynn Morgan, Distributor Sales Manager

Packaging List Envelopes: The Most Important Part of Your Customers Shipment

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 14:09:57 +0000

Packing List Envelope

Plastic Packing list envelopes are a vital part of any business packaging and shipping departments. Most distribution centers use self-adhering adhesive backed packaging envelopes to secure packaging list, invoice, or other shipping documents to the packages they ship. Packing list envelopes are easily identifiable with standard descriptions in black ink on bright orange panels.

Depending on your shipment, there are different styles of packing slip envelopes to accommodate the different paper work and shipping documents. The most common type is packing list enclosed envelopes that allows you to include an itemized list of the shipment contents. In certain situations you might want to include an invoice only, this is where the orange high visibility Invoice Enclosed Envelopes are so important. When you need to include both an invoice and packing slip in one envelope then choose our “Packing List and Invoice Enclosed” envelopes”

Another popular choice of suppliers is our clear packing list envelopes. Not being labeled for any application clear packing list envelopes can be used for packing list, invoices, messages, instruction, and just about any shipping documents that are important. Interplas.com offers additional Special Application Packaging Envelopes with other prints like: “Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Enclosed, “Export Documents Enclosed”, “Important Papers Enclosed”, “Warranty Information Enclosed”, “Instructions Enclosed”, Clear Packing List Envelopes and more.

InterPlas.com has a newly redesigned packing list envelope category making it easy to find the right packaging envelope for your shipment. Not only is our site easier to use, we have heavily discounted all packing list envelopes to be the lowest price in the industry. This is an easy way for you to save big when tightening your packaging and shipping supplies budget. Below is a quick comparison of Wholesale Packaging List Envelopes suppliers and their current cost as of 1-01-2011 for commonly used envelopes. InterPlas.com is committed to helping business save money, being your one stop source for packaging supplies, along with award winning customer service.

Packing List Enclosed Envelopes: Item Compared: Self adhesive 4 ½ x 5 ½ Packing List Enclosed Envelope

	Size	Print	Price Per 100	Price Per 1000
Office Depot	4 ½ x 5 ½	Panel	$5.39	$50.39
Walmart	4 ½ x 5 ½	Panel	$13.99	$139.94
InterPlas.com	4 ½ x 5 ½	Panel	$ 1.95	$ 19.50

Invoice Enclosed Envelopes Item Compared: Self adhesive 7 x 5 ½ Invoice Enclosed Envelope

	Size	Print	Price Per 100	Price Per 1000
OfficeMax	7 x 5 ½	Panel	$9.20	$91.95
OfficeDepot	7 x 5 ½	Panel	$8.49	$84.89
Interplas.com	7 x 5 ½	Panel	$ 5.53	$ 55.30

Ice Plastic Bags Buy Wholesale

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:53:59 +0000

It was not until about 200 years ago that people started seeing ice as something more than a side effect of winter. In 1805 two brothers from Boston found the true benefits of ice when they were the only people at a family picnic that were enjoying cold beverages and ice cream. It took some time and convincing, but as a result of their work we now have the benefit to walking into just about any store and getting a bag of ice.

Need Plastic Ice Bags at wholesale prices that can withstand rough handling, provide refreshingly tasting ice with no odor and able withstand below freezing temperatures? Then order these bags today. Not only do they provide a premium tasteful look but we do it at wholesale price. We offer several different styles of ice bags sure to meet and exceed your application and requirements.

Ice Bags w/ Draw Strings

Our Best Selling Ice Bags! Preprinted with “Pure Ice” Polar Bear design or “Crystal Ice” Dog design. The top has a built-in cotton draw-string for easy hauling and a tight closure. Three sizes In-stock for same day shipping: 8lb.,10lb., 20lb.

Ice bags with Twist Ties

Open top and preprinted with “Pure Ice” Polar Bear design or “Crystal Ice” Dog design. Each case includes Plastic Twist Ties for secure closure. Five sizes In-stock for same day shipping: 5lb., 8lb., 10lb., 20lb., 50lb.

Ice Bags on Wickets

Preprinted with “Pure Ice” Polar Bear design. For use with semiautomatic bagging machines. Three sizes In-stock for same day shipping: 8lb., 10lb., 20lb.

Need more options? We have a custom ice bag solution for you. International Plastics offers Custom Printed Ice Bags w/ Draw String, Custom Printed Ice Bags w/ Flat Top, and Custom Printed Ice Bags on a Wicket. From design to finished product, let us help you create a unique custom printed ice bag. Contact us for a no obligation plastic ice bag quote.

Bubble Wrap Turns 50 Years Old, More Than Just Protective Packaging

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:19:56 +0000

There have been many astonishing inventions in the past 50 years from the personal computer and the Internet, to the mapping of the human genome. These inventions, plus countless others, are commonly discussed in major media outlets, but it is not a common occurrence when an ordinary everyday items makes the national news. On a recent airing of The NBC Nightly News they did just this, when they paid homage to the 50 year anniversary of the invention of bubble wrap.

Bubble Wrap was invented in 1957 by two engineers – Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding – and is now a product brand of the Sealed Air Corporation, founded in 1960 by the two inventors. Bubble Wrap has since become more than just cushion packaging. Since Bubble Wrap makes a distinctive “popping” sound, it can also be used both as a source of amusement and to alleviate stress. This has been seen with the creation of several websites with a bubble Wrap theme, and even an iPhone application that offer Bubble Wrap games where users may “pop” by clicking on the bubbles.

In the packaging and shipping industry, the applications for bubble wrap have been extended beyond just wrapping products. In many instances, there are small or very sensitive items which do not lend themselves to just being wrapped – enter the bubble bag, and bubble mailers.

Bubble bags or, as they are sometimes called, bubble-out bags, are the ideal solution for the packaging of breakable or delicate items – such as ceramics or glassware. Clear bubble-out bags afford extra protection without any of the additional padding or shipping cost associated with other types of protective packaging. Some bags are self-sealing bubble out bags, pull-away adhesive strip, which assists in sealing the bag securely. It’s just like having your product suspended in a bubble of protection. Another style of bubble wrap bags are anit static ziplock bags which are used in the the packaging and shipping of senstive ectronics and cleanroom environments.

Bubble Wrap Turns 50,Associated Press Video

Creative Uses of Bubble Wrap

The below image shows some creative uses that people have come up with over the years.
Top to Bottom: Art, Calanders, Fashion, Window Tent and Insulation, Underware, Hours of fun

Uses of Bubble Wrap

Online Bubble Wrap Popping Game:

Environmentally Friendly Trash Bags–Plastic Goes Green

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:02:27 +0000

International Plastics offers a variety of plastic trash bags that are environmentally friendly.

* These Green Trash Bags are Ozone safe. No Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) are used in the manufacturing process.

* They are 100% Recyclable. Polyethylene can be recycled into many useful, durable products, such as refuse containers, building materials, and office accessories.

* They are Non-Toxic and Clean-Burning. When burned properly, polyethylene (made from carbon and hydrogen), turns to carbon dioxide and water. No toxic fumes are emitted and the residual ash (only .25 % remains) is not toxic. Additionally, polyethylene has a higher BTU content (17,800 BTU’s/lb.) than coal and paper, producing more energy when burned.

* They are Safe in Landfills. Studies show that even readily degradable items are not degrading in landfills. On the positive side, though, polyethylene products are stable ingredients in landfills. They are not toxic and do not give off leachate or methane gas.

* They are Good For Solid Waste Management. Although polyethylene food service packaging accounts for less than 25% of the municipal solid waste. Green Trash Bags use a balanced approach to utilizing source-reduction, recycling, safe incineration, and using landfills safely, with safe incineration being the priority. Energy is the byproduct of incineration and landfills are becoming hard to find.

The Plastic Bag Conundrum

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:58:15 +0000

Plastic bags have a bad reputation these days. Sure, they are convenient and useful, but they are difficult and expensive to recycle.

Much of the discussion surrounds waste. Consumers in the United States use and then throw away (or recycle) nearly 40,000,000 plastic bags per year. With that much consumption, Americans are under pressure to either consume less or re-use more. Fortunately, both options are viable.

If you prefer to sacrifice the amount of plastic bags you use, look into ways of re-using them. Ironically, plastic bags are strong–the same reason they’re difficult to recycle–and so can be washed, cleaned and dried. Ultimatley, they have a long shelf life. And products remain fresh and uncontaminated if the bags are properly sanitized.

You can investigate different options for purchasing new bags, too. Certain companies are looking to implement new plastic manufacturing processes. Others are investing in significant internal recycling programs. Also, if you have questions about the plastic bag industry or how plastic bags are recycled, sometimes the best answers come from companies that sell them. One company that has comprehensive information as well as numerous products to select from is International Plastics. International Plastics offers plastic bags, ziplock bags, ice bags and trash bags. So, whether you are going to reduce the amount of plastic you consume or invest in some sturdy re-usable bags, International Plastic is a valuable resource through which to conduct the process.