This week was certainly interesting in the recycled paper market even if prices didn’t change, for reasons outlined below.
Metals also saw a price boost in certain grades, while plastics remained stable.
Rather than economic matters, it continues to be legislation and regulation in end markets that is changing the dynamics of the market.
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For example, the news from Vietnam, Indonesia and Poland is making it extra challenging to find export markets. Even if these measures appear temporary (with the exception of Poland that is planning to introduce long-term regulations), there is a concern that upheaval is now the default state of the recycling market.
But the big news for the recycling market was the new regulation brought in by the Chinese Government last week that has led to 100% inspection of containers at sites. CCIC (or other inspection agencies if they receive certification) will need to inspect each container and seal it, which is already leading to logistical difficulties for those who are still allowed to export material to China.
In other market news, the dollar remained largely unchanged on last week at $1.33. Against the euro, the pound spiked above €1.14 in the week, but ended it largely similar to €1.13 last week. This wasn’t volatile enough to make much difference in either currency.
Plastic
The price of all plastic grades remained the same this week, with changes seen in previous weeks stabilising.
Moving material remains hard, and the closure of the two key Vietnamese ports has made life harder for exporters. Indeed, it is rumoured that the 8,000 containers at Tan Cang – Cat Lai port and the 1,130 containers at Tan Cang – Cai Mep port are enough to service the Vietnamese plastic recycling sector for six months.
Indonesia is also proving challenging to move material to, while Malaysia is also reported to be filling up.
For the best quality packaging grades, UK and European destinations seem most likely at the moment, but they will have their pick. At least demand still remains relatively good from these at present, especially as retailers and manufacturing customers are seeking more recycled content.
Industrial polymer demand also remains good.
The recent easing of the oil price hasn’t yet had an impact on virgin polymer prices, but if it does, we may see recycled plastic prices ease in July.
Paper
The sudden announcement that 100% inspections of containers, and suspension of self-certification, by Chinese Customs has had a panicked effect on the market this week.
Announced in Chinese on 28 May to come into force on 1 June, the new regulations didn’t give exporters to China much time to respond. CCIC, who for the time being remain the only inspection agency, were also taken by surprise especially now that they have to inspect every box and then seal it before it is sent to port.
Sites are reported to be failing the new inspection regime already, and this has put extra pressure on the Chinese exporters who are seeking to feed their hungry mill groups. Those sites that have passed are suddenly very favourable, and this has helped to keep prices high for this quality, with over £150 the norm.
Even though US exports to China are set to resume, this will only begin to happen properly from next week, and they still face 100% inspections at Chinese customs along with the new regulations on inspection at US domestic sites by CCIC (or new potential others).
With Indonesia imposing 100% inspections on paper imports, and tougher rules for sending paper to Vietnam, markets are becoming harder to find. Indian markets seem to have lost their appetite for material with the US having sent a lot of paper there as a result of its recent one month Chinese ban.
European buyers are also taking their pick of material at the moment as there is plenty around.
The market is starting to look quite challenging as a result. Even for Chinese buyers, they expect to continue to pay a premium for the very best material that has passed the 100% inspections, but the logistical challenges for getting CCIC inspectors to visit a site when the containers are there, will hamper their ability to buy.
CCIC has advertised for more inspectors, but finding them and training them, may take some time.
Unsurprisingly, the PRN/PERN price for paper has risen to £9 to £10 this week. When considering the volumes of cardboard and paper on the market, this is set to be a considerable cost to producers, but at least provides a boost for the UK recycling market to support its efforts. Don’t be surprised if the PRN price keeps rising under these market conditions.
Metals
Fears over a strike in Chilean copper mines has helped to push up the price of the metal on the LME to a four-year high. As a result, scrap prices have also received a welcome boost, rising by £250 per tonne this week.
US tariffs on steel and aluminium have also helped to boost the price of the latter, although steel appeared to have already reached its price limit and remained unchanged.
Prices
If you wish to see a longer data set on each table or chart, change the ‘show 10 entries’ drop down to your preferred choice. Both the table and chart (if there is one) will adjust automatically. Our full data set is available here to subscribers.Â
UK plastic bottles
wdt_ID UK £ Mixed bottles A Mixed bottles B PET HDPE Natural 95/5
1
16/02/2018
50-100
-10-30
160
360
2
09/02/2018
50-100
-10-30
160
360
3
02/02/2018
50-100
-10-30
160
360
4
26/01/2018
60-110
0-30
170
380
5
19/01/2018
60-110
0-30
170
380
6
12/01/2018
60-110
0-30
170
380
7
05/01/2018
60-110
0-30
170
380
8
15/12/2017
60-110
0-30
170
390
9
08/12/2017
60-110
0-30
170
390
10
01/12/2017
60-110
0-30
170
390
UK HDPE, Wheelie Bins, HIPS, EPS, PP
wdt_ID UK £ HDPE Regrind Wheelie Bins HIPS Regrind EPS PP Regrind
1
16/02/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
2
09/02/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
3
02/02/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
4
26/01/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
5
19/01/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
6
12/01/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
7
05/01/2018
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
8
15/12/2017
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
9
08/12/2017
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
10
01/12/2017
470-490
270-300
300-350
400-450
470-510
UK LDPE film
wdt_ID UK £ LDPE 99/1 LDPE 98/2 LDPE 95/5 LDPE 90/10 Jazz Film
1
16/02/2018
200-270
170
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
2
09/02/2018
200-270
170
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
3
02/02/2018
200-270
170
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
4
26/01/2018
240-290
190
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
5
19/01/2018
240-290
190
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
6
12/01/2018
240-290
190
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
7
05/01/2018
240-290
190
60-100
0-40
-70-(-30)
8
15/12/2017
250-300
200
70-110
10-50
-70-(-30)
9
08/12/2017
250-300
200
70-110
10-50
-70-(-30)
10
01/12/2017
275-315
225
70-110
10-50
-70-(-30)
UK pots, tubs, trays
wdt_ID UK £ Mixed carrier bags Mixed hard plastics Mixed plastic trays
1
16/02/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
2
09/02/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
3
02/02/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
4
26/01/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
5
19/01/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
6
12/01/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
7
05/01/2018
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
8
15/12/2017
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
9
08/12/2017
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
10
01/12/2017
-70-(-30)
-70-(-30)
-55-(-65)
UK OCC, ONP, Mixed paper
wdt_ID UK £ OCC ONP Mixed paper
1
16/02/2018
65
87
10
2
09/02/2018
62
87
10
3
02/02/2018
68
87
12
4
26/01/2018
87
95
37
5
19/01/2018
97
97
45
6
12/01/2018
105
97
55
7
05/01/2018
110
100
62
8
15/12/2017
110
100
62
9
08/12/2017
117
100
62
10
01/12/2017
142
100
62
UK soft mixed, OIN, SOW
wdt_ID UK £ Soft mixed OI news SOW
1
16/02/2018
0-20
120-130
165-175
2
09/02/2018
0-20
120-130
165-175
3
02/02/2018
0-20
120-130
165-175
4
26/01/2018
25-35
120-130
165-175
5
19/01/2018
30-40
120-130
165-175
6
12/01/2018
35-45
120-130
165-175
7
05/01/2018
35-45
120-130
165-175
8
15/12/2017
35-45
120-130
165-175
9
08/12/2017
35-45
120-130
165-175
10
01/12/2017
35-45
120-130
165-175
UK Multi, WHL, BW2
wdt_ID UK £ Multi grade WHL BW2
1
16/02/2018
150-170
238-244
280-290
2
09/02/2018
150-170
238-244
280-290
3
02/02/2018
150-170
238-244
280-290
4
26/01/2018
155-170
238-244
280-290
5
19/01/2018
155-170
238-244
280-290
6
12/01/2018
155-170
238-244
280-290
7
05/01/2018
155-170
238-244
280-290
8
15/12/2017
155-170
238-244
280-290
9
08/12/2017
155-170
238-244
280-290
10
01/12/2017
160-175
238-244
280-290
UK copper
wdt_ID UK £ Copper Dry bright wire New tube Braziery Clean Pyro
1
16/02/2018
4,300
4250-4350
4175-4275
3350-3450
1700-1800
2
09/02/2018
4,300
4250-4350
4175-4275
3350-3450
1700-1800
3
02/02/2018
4,400
4350-4450
4275-4375
3450-3550
1800-1900
4
26/01/2018
4,400
4350-4450
4275-4375
3450-3550
1800-1900
5
19/01/2018
4,400
4350-4450
4275-4375
3450-3550
1800-1900
6
12/01/2018
4,600
4550-4650
4475-4575
3650-3750
2000-2100
7
05/01/2018
4,600
4550-4650
4475-4575
3650-3750
2000-2100
8
15/12/2017
4,200
4150-4250
4075-4175
3250-3350
1600-1700
9
08/12/2017
4,200
4150-4250
4075-4175
3250-3350
1600-1700
10
01/12/2017
4,200
4150-4250
4075-4175
3250-3350
1600-1700
UK brass
wdt_ID UK £ Brass (Honey) Mixed brass Rod swarf Brass/copper rads
1
16/02/2018
2,700
2650-2750
2475-2575
2400-2500
2
09/02/2018
2,700
2650-2750
2475-2575
2400-2500
3
02/02/2018
2,700
2650-2750
2475-2575
2400-2500
4
26/01/2018
2,800
2750-2850
2575-2675
2500-2600
5
19/01/2018
2,800
2750-2850
2575-2675
2500-2600
6
12/01/2018
2,800
2750-2850
2575-2675
2500-2600
7
05/01/2018
2,900
2850-2950
2675-2725
2600-2700
8
15/12/2017
2,650
2600-2700
2425-2525
2350-2450
9
08/12/2017
2,650
2600-2700
2425-2525
2350-2450
10
01/12/2017
2,650
2600-2700
2425-2525
2350-2450
UK aluminium alloys
wdt_ID UK £ Taint/Tabor Alum Bronze solids Low grade cable Household cable
1
16/02/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
2
09/02/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
3
02/02/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
4
26/01/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
5
19/01/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
6
12/01/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
7
05/01/2018
1,350
2050-2150
525-575
1050-1150
8
15/12/2017
1,300
2000-2100
475-525
1000-1100
9
08/12/2017
1,300
2000-2100
475-525
1000-1100
10
01/12/2017
1,400
2100-2200
575-625
1100-1200
UK aluminum
wdt_ID UK £ Clean HE9 Clean alu wheels Cast alu Old rolled alu
1
16/02/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
2
09/02/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
3
02/02/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
4
26/01/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
5
19/01/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
6
12/01/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
7
05/01/2018
800-900
1000-1050
700-750
475-525
8
15/12/2017
750-850
950-1000
650-700
425-525
9
08/12/2017
750-850
950-1000
650-700
425-525
10
01/12/2017
850-950
1025-1125
750-800
525-575
UK stainless steel, zinc, lead
wdt_ID UK £ 18/8 stainless 316 stainless Zinc Lead Lead batteries
1
16/02/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
2
09/02/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
3
02/02/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
4
26/01/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
5
19/01/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
6
12/01/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
7
05/01/2018
725-775
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
8
15/12/2017
675-725
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
9
08/12/2017
675-725
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
10
01/12/2017
675-725
975-1025
800-900
1400-1500
625-675
UK ferrous
wdt_ID UK £ HMS 1 Light iron O/S shearing O/S construction Mixed iron
1
16/02/2018
180
135-175
145-185
130-170
150-190
2
09/02/2018
180
135-175
145-185
130-170
150-190
3
02/02/2018
180
135-175
145-185
130-170
150-190
4
26/01/2018
180
135-175
145-185
130-170
150-190
5
19/01/2018
190
145-185
155-195
140-180
160-200
6
12/01/2018
200
155-195
165-205
150-190
170-210
7
05/01/2018
200
155-195
165-205
150-190
170-210
8
15/12/2017
195
150-190
160-200
145-185
165-205
9
08/12/2017
195
150-190
160-200
145-185
165-205
10
01/12/2017
175
130-170
140-180
125-165
145-185
UK engines, cans, plugs
wdt_ID UK £ EOLV Steel UBC Aluminium UBCs Plugs and chargers
1
16/02/2018
95-135
120-160
1000-1100
110-130
2
09/02/2018
95-135
120-160
1000-1100
110-130
3
02/02/2018
95-135
120-160
1000-1100
110-130
4
26/01/2018
95-135
120-160
1050-1150
110-130
5
19/01/2018
105-145
130-170
1050-1150
110-130
6
12/01/2018
115-155
140-180
1050-1150
110-130
7
05/01/2018
115-155
140-180
1050-1150
110-130
8
15/12/2017
110-150
135-175
1000-1150
110-130
9
08/12/2017
110-150
135-175
1000-1150
110-130
10
01/12/2017
90-130
115-155
1000-1150
110-130
UK glass
wdt_ID UK £ Clear Amber Green Mixed
1
16/02/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
2
09/02/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
3
02/02/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
4
26/01/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
5
19/01/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
6
12/01/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
7
05/01/2018
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
8
15/12/2017
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
9
08/12/2017
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
10
01/12/2017
18-28
14-20
9-13
2-8
PRN paper, plastic, glass
wdt_ID UK £ Paper Plastic Glass Remelt Glass Other
1
16/02/2018
1.80-2.20
56-58
11-12
10.50-11.50
2
09/02/2018
1.25-1.75
56-58
10.50-11.50
10-11
3
02/02/2018
1.25-1.75
56-58
10.50-11.50
10-11
4
26/01/2018
1.50-2.00
54-56
10.50-11.50
9.50-11
5
19/01/2018
1.50-2.00
52-56
10-12
9-11
6
12/01/2018
1.50-2.00
50-54
10-12
9-11
7
05/01/2018
1.25-1.75
51-55
9.50-11.50
9-11
8
15/12/2017
1.25-1.75
48-52
9.50-11.50
8.50-10.50
9
08/12/2017
1.50-2.00
39-43
9-11
9-11
10
01/12/2017
1.65-2.15
29-33
9-11
9-11
PRNs wood, steel, alu, recovery
wdt_ID UK £ Wood Steel Aluminium Recovery
1
16/02/2018
8-9
4-6
20-24
0.4-0.5
2
09/02/2018
7.25-8.25
4-6
20-24
0.4-0.5
3
02/02/2018
7.25-8.25
4-6
20-24
0.4-0.5
4
26/01/2018
5-6
4-6
33-37
0.4-0.5
5
19/01/2018
4.50-5.50
5-7
33-37
0.4-0.5
6
12/01/2018
4.50-5.50
5-7
33-37
0.4-0.5
7
05/01/2018
4.50-5.50
4.50-5.50
33-37
0.4-0.5
8
15/12/2017
4.50-5.50
1-2
14-16
0.4-0.5
9
08/12/2017
4-5
1-2
14-16
0.4-0.5
10
01/12/2017
1.75-2.25
1-3
4-6
0.4-0.5
UK gate fees, RDF, landfill
wdt_ID UK £ RDF - UK Landfill Tax Landfill Gate fee
1
16/02/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
2
09/02/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
3
02/02/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
4
26/01/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
5
19/01/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
6
12/01/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
7
05/01/2018
65-85
86.10
10-20
8
15/12/2017
65-85
86.10
10-20
9
08/12/2017
65-85
86.10
10-20
10
01/12/2017
65-85
86.10
10-20
UK Gate Fees - EFW, AD, MRF
wdt_ID UK £ Energy from Waste Anaerobic digestion MRF
1
16/02/2018
60-90
60-90
60-90
2
09/02/2018
25-35
25-35
25-35
3
02/02/2018
0-30
0-30
0-30
4
26/01/2018
60-90
25-35
0-30
5
19/01/2018
60-90
25-35
0-30
6
12/01/2018
60-90
25-35
0-30
7
05/01/2018
60-90
25-35
0-30
8
15/12/2017
60-90
25-35
0-30
9
08/12/2017
60-90
25-35
0-30
10
01/12/2017
60-90
25-35
0-30
China plastics
wdt_ID USD $ PET flake PET bottle HDPE Natural LDPE 98/2
1
16/02/2018
821
486
874
544
2
09/02/2018
821
486
874
544
3
02/02/2018
760
486
772
538
4
26/01/2018
760
486
772
538
5
19/01/2018
760
486
772
538
6
12/01/2018
760
486
772
538
7
05/01/2018
760
486
772
538
8
15/12/2017
696
403
760
684
9
08/12/2017
785
570
798
630
10
01/12/2017
785
570
798
630
China paper
wdt_ID USD $ OCC ONP Mixed
1
16/02/2018
230
257
149
2
09/02/2018
230
257
149
3
02/02/2018
235
240
155
4
26/01/2018
235
240
155
5
19/01/2018
235
240
155
6
12/01/2018
235
240
155
7
05/01/2018
235
240
155
8
15/12/2017
250
262
151
9
08/12/2017
255
262
159
10
01/12/2017
255
262
159
China metals
wdt_ID USD $ Copper Wire Brass (Honey) Taint/Tabor HMS 1
1
16/02/2018
6,175
4,650
1,285
144
2
09/02/2018
6,175
4,650
1,285
144
3
02/02/2018
6,135
4,635
1,595
153
4
26/01/2018
6,135
4,635
1,595
153
5
19/01/2018
6,135
4,635
1,595
153
6
12/01/2018
6,135
4,635
1,595
153
7
05/01/2018
6,135
4,635
1,595
153
8
15/12/2017
6,205
5,230
1,390
155
9
08/12/2017
6,190
5,210
1,440
130
10
01/12/2017
6,190
5,210
1,440
130
US plastics
wdt_ID USD $ PET bottles HDPE Natural LDPE Grade A
1
16/02/2018
450
585
350
2
09/02/2018
450
585
350
3
02/02/2018
450
585
350
4
26/01/2018
450
585
350
5
19/01/2018
450
585
350
6
12/01/2018
450
585
350
7
05/01/2018
450
585
350
8
15/12/2017
400
585
350
9
08/12/2017
400
585
350
10
01/12/2017
460
585
350
US paper
wdt_ID USD $ OCC ONP Mixed
1
16/02/2018
110
80
40
2
09/02/2018
110
80
40
3
02/02/2018
110
80
40
4
26/01/2018
110
80
40
5
19/01/2018
120
80
60
6
12/01/2018
120
80
60
7
05/01/2018
120
80
60
8
15/12/2017
120
80
60
9
08/12/2017
120
80
60
10
01/12/2017
120
80
60
US metals
wdt_ID USD $ Copper Wire Brass (Honey) Taint/Tabor HMS 1
1
16/02/2018
5,950
3,636
2,512
320
2
09/02/2018
5,950
3,636
2,512
320
3
02/02/2018
6,061
3,636
2,512
320
4
26/01/2018
6,061
3,636
2,512
320
5
19/01/2018
6,237
3,592
2,512
265
6
12/01/2018
6,237
3,592
2,512
265
7
05/01/2018
6,170
2,975
2,468
265
8
15/12/2017
5,906
3,416
2,424
265
9
08/12/2017
5,775
2,909
2,424
265
10
01/12/2017
5,884
3,415
2,468
295