Plastic Prices Spiking 55% Has Toymaker Worried About Christmas Inventory

Surging prices for plastic caused by disruptions from the Iran war have pushed one US toymaker to buy up more inventory than needed before the conflict boosts costs even higher.

Factories in China, Vietnam and India have seen price hikes as high as 55% for materials such as low-density polyethylene, a widely used plastic, according to Rick Woldenberg, chief executive officer of Learning Resources Inc. There have also been reports of shortages, he said.