The short answer
Find out exactly which grades are affected and how long your inventory lasts, then line up a second source for the same polymer before considering a different material. Same-polymer equivalents qualify fastest. Tell your customer early if an approved part might change.
An allocation letter or a force majeure notice usually arrives with little warning. The first few days decide whether it becomes a short squeeze or a line-down problem. This page is a practical checklist for buyers and plant managers.
Allocation and force majeure, in plain terms
Allocation means the producer limits each customer to a share of their recent purchases because demand is higher than supply. Force majeure means the producer is declaring that an event outside its control, such as a plant outage, a feedstock shortage or a hurricane, prevents it from meeting commitments for now. Both usually come with a restart estimate that can move.
What to do in the first 48 hours
- Confirm what is affected. Which grades, which plants, what allocation percentage and the expected duration. Ask in writing.
- Count your cover. Weeks of inventory on hand and on order, for each affected grade, against your production plan.
- Rank your parts. Decide which parts and customers get the resin first if you cannot cover everything.
- Call a second source now. Ask for the same polymer from another producer or from existing distributor inventory, and request data sheets and COAs to compare.
- Check your approvals. Look at drawings and specs for approved alternates, and tell your customer early if a material change might be needed.
- Stretch supply. Reduce scrap and use regrind within your spec limits while replacement resin is arranged.
Your options, fastest first
| Option | Speed | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Same grade from distributor or secondary stock | Fastest | Usually priced higher; check lot dates and storage |
| Equivalent grade from another producer | Fast to moderate | Needs a data sheet comparison and often a trial run |
| Imported equivalent | Moderate | Longer transit; check duties, paperwork and lot consistency |
| Alternate material | Slowest | Full requalification and customer approval are usually needed |
| Stretch what you have | Immediate | Cut scrap, use regrind within your spec limits and prioritize your most critical parts |
How to avoid the next one
- Qualify a second source for every critical grade before you need it. See why you need a second supplier.
- Write approved alternates into your specs so a switch does not start a new approval from scratch.
- Hold extra safety stock on the grades that tighten most often, such as PA66 and some polycarbonate and specialty grades.
- Watch for early signs: lead times stretching, price increases and producer notices often come before allocation.
How we help
Send the grade that is on allocation and your monthly usage. A polymer chemist will look for the same polymer from another source or existing inventory, and suggest a qualified alternate if needed, with a COA on every lot, tested to ASTM or ISO methods. We ship from 22 warehouse locations across the U.S. and Canada, from one gaylord to a railcar. We aim to send your quote within one to three business days. Our backup source program keeps a qualified alternate on file and reprices it on request, so the next allocation is easier.
Common questions
What does resin allocation mean?
The producer limits how much each customer can buy, usually as a percentage of what you bought over a recent period. It is used when demand exceeds what a plant can supply, often after an outage.
What does a force majeure declaration mean for my supply?
The producer is saying an event outside its control, such as a plant outage, a feedstock problem or a hurricane, stops it from meeting its supply commitments for now. What it means for your contract depends on the contract terms, so check with your purchasing or legal team. We are not lawyers.
How long does allocation usually last?
It varies with the cause, from a few weeks for a short plant outage to several months for a major disruption. Producers usually update customers as they restart.
Can a distributor still get resin when a producer is on allocation?
Often, at least partly. Distributors may hold inventory bought before the allocation, and they can offer the same polymer from other producers or import sources. Expect to compare grades and data sheets rather than get the identical part number.
How do I avoid getting caught by allocation again?
Keep a qualified second source on file for critical grades, list approved alternates on your drawings or specs, and hold a little more safety stock on the grades that tighten most often.
Tell us the grade that is on allocation
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a qualified equivalent and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province