AKRON, OHIO (Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m. ET) — Rising resin prices are again in the news, with increases for PET bottle resin and PVC suspension resin featured in this week’s Material Insights video, along with an update on Mexichem SAB de CV’s proposed acquisition of pipe maker Plásticos Rex SA de CV and resin producer Polycid SA de CV, and the quarterly earnings reports for PolyOne Corp., Dow Chemical Co. and Lubrizol Corp. (more)

MIAMI (Feb. 7, 10:30 p.m. ET) -- Single-use plastic products makers took fire from an unusual source during this year's Super Bowl game -- commercials from German carmaker Audi AG for a "clean diesel" vehicle. The "Green Police" ads took aim at plastic grocery bags, PET water bottles and polystyrene cups -- all with the aim of promoting environmental attributes of the Audi A3 TDI. (more)

CHICAGO (Feb. 8, 2:30 p.m. ET) — Chicago-based packaging distributor Berlin Packaging LLC has expanded it product line and geographic reach with the planned acquisition of Pittsburgh-based All-Pak Inc. The combined companies will have annual sales approaching $500 million, with products including plastic, glass, and metal containers and closures, according to Berlin. The two companies together have more than 600 global suppliers of plastic, glass, and metal packaging. (more)