WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORP. Houston, Texas; PVC Manufacturer Enjoys Piping-Hot Markets.(THE NEW AMERICA)

Publication: Investor's Business Daily

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Investor's Business Daily, Inc.

Byline: STEVE WATKINS

Maybe the future really is in plastics.

Nearly 40 years after Dustin Hoffman received that bit of advice in "The Graduate," the plastics market is surging. And it hasn't peaked yet.

Westlake Chemical Corp., fresh off an initial public offering, is taking full advantage of the cycle's upswing. It makes polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, along with polyethylene and ethylene.

PVC is a plastic used for items such as pipe, siding, flooring and shower curtains.

A low-density form of polyethylene goes into making food packaging, shrink wrap and trash bags, while a higher-density form is used for crates, drums and containers.

Ethylene is a building block chemical for polyethylene and other materials. It is also used to make antifreeze for cars.

Those markets are heating up.

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