Polyethylene  production  in the US and Canada was at the highest level in eight months in 

November as the impact of new startups and post-Hurricane Harvey restarts were felt in the 

market,  according  to  preliminary  data  released  Wednesday by the American Chemistry 

Council. 

Total polyethylene production for November topped 3.55 billion lb, up from almost 3.28 billion 

lb in October and the most since producers made more than 3.62 billion lb of pellets in March

. Total  sales  were at  almost  3.5 billion lb, down 1.96% from October's total of more than 3.4 

billion lb. 

Overall   producer  stocks  increased  by  206.4  million  lb  due  to  a  build  in  high  density 

polyethylene  grades.  HDPE stocks rose by 236.26 million lb, while low density polyethylene 

sales outpaced production by almost 23 million lb and linear low density sales were almost 7 

million lb above production levels. 

Domestic sales were at almost 2.66 billion lb, down from 2.77 billion lb in October and slightly 

below the 2017 monthly average of almost 2.68 billion lb. 

The  overall  build  was  the  first  since  July,  adding  fuel  to  talk of potential contract price 

decreases  in  December.  November contracts rolled over after a combined 10 cents/lb was 

added over August, September and October. 

Exports,  meanwhile,  were  at  the  highest mark since July, the month before Harvey hit  the 

Texas Coast causing massive production disruptions, some of which are still being worked ou

t. Total exports were at almost 692 million lb, accounting for just more than 20% of total sales. 

By  grade,  HDPE production was at more than 1.77 billion lb, with sales at 1.535 billion lb as 

almost 1.3 billion lb went to domestic customers while more than 242 million lb went to traders 

and  buyers  outside  the US and Canada. LLDPE production was at more than 1.26 billion lb, 

with sales topping 1.27 billion, including 957.3 million lb for domestic buyers and 314.3 million 

lb  designated  for export. LDPE production was at 519.4 million lb, with sales of almost 542.4 

million lb, including 407 million for the domestic market and 135.3 million lb for export.