Plastic Pellets (Resin) by Rail
Polyethylene and polypropylene pellets from Gulf Coast crackers — light, free-flowing, and shipped in the biggest covered hoppers on the railroad.
| Railcar | Jumbo covered hopper (6,000+ cu ft) |
| Typical net load | 85–95 tons per car |
| Bulk density | ~32–38 lb/cu ft |
| Loading constraint | Cubes out (volume-limited) |
| STCC | 28211 — look up related codes in the STCC Finder |
What it's used for
Injection molding, film, pipe, packaging — the feedstock of the plastics industry.
How it moves
Gulf Coast petrochemical belt to converters nationwide; cars stage in massive storage-in-transit yards near Houston. Export resin transloads to the ports.
By the numbers: state rail plan figures
How much of this commodity group moves by rail, as published in the states' own federally mandated rail plans:
Statewide rail tonnage
- Louisiana: 20.4 million tons of plastics and synthetic resins moved by rail in all directions in 2021 (Louisiana State Rail Plan 2024, p. 60).
- Georgia: 3.6 million tons of plastics and rubber moved by rail to, from and within the state in 2017 (Georgia State Rail Plan 2021, p. 15).
Single-direction figures
These count movement in one direction only — originated, inbound or outbound as each plan defines it — so they are not comparable with the statewide totals above.
- Wisconsin: 1.4 million tons of plastic materials or synthetic fibers terminated by rail in the state in 2019 (Wisconsin State Rail Plan 2026, p. 139).
Each figure is quoted from the cited state rail plan and reflects that plan's own data year, commodity grouping and methodology — figures from different plans are not directly comparable with each other. Some plans count traffic passing through the state and others exclude it; each line says which.
Where it flows
Key origins and gateways for plastic pellets (resin) on the Commodity Flow Map:
- Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor — Gulf Coast Chemical Corridor, TX ()
- Saskatchewan Potash Mines — Saskatchewan Potash Mines, SK (CPKC)
Common questions
Can plastic pellets (resin) be shipped by rail?
Yes. Plastic Pellets (Resin) moves regularly on the North American rail network in jumbo covered hoppers. Gulf Coast petrochemical belt to converters nationwide; cars stage in massive storage-in-transit yards near Houston.
How many tons of plastic pellets (resin) fit in a railcar?
A typical load is 85–95 net tons per car — the car fills up (cubes out) before it reaches its weight limit.
What railcar does plastic pellets (resin) move in?
Jumbo covered hopper (6,000+ cu ft). Because the commodity is light for its volume, shippers prefer the largest cubic capacity available.
What is the bulk density of plastic pellets (resin)?
Roughly 32–38 lb per cubic foot, depending on grade and condition.
Related tools
- Railcar Capacity Guide — loads and cubic capacities by car type
- Railcar Selector — match a commodity to the right equipment
- Rail vs Truck Calculator — where rail wins on your lane
- Transload Directory — 2,400+ transfer facilities
Shipping plastic pellets (resin) by rail?
Run your lane through the Rail Rate Quote tool for an indicative estimate (the commodity is pre-selected for you), compare modes with Rail vs Truck, or find transfer points in the Transload Directory. We do not guarantee rates — we will talk through your lane before quoting.
Figures on this page are typical industry ranges for reference — actual loads depend on the specific car, commodity grade and railroad rules. Rate estimates are indicative only; Steel Wheel Logistics does not issue binding quotes from this page.