Recycling prices and market commentary: 13 October 2023

October 13, 2023

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With the publication of the latest NPWD monthly data earlier in this week, the PRN/PERN markets reacted and this had some impact on physical prices.

Plastics in particular saw an impact, with some packaging grades coming down as a result.

Paper was down a few pence on the PRN/PERN market, aluminium by about £20 per tonne but both glass remelt and other were up.

In terms of trading, volumes are still low, although there are pockets of demand for most materials. But overall, this demand tends to be coming from deep sea rather than our close European neighbours who still don’t seem interested.

The pound/dollar was unchanged on last week at $1.21 while against the euro also stayed at €1.15.

Recycled plastics

The fall in the value of the PRN/PERN helped bring down the value of some packaging grades this week.

With the latest NPWD data showing a still positive picture for plastics, this brought down the value of the certificate.

PET bottles and film grades came down on the back of this, although HDPE bottles remained steady.

Demand remains mixed with PET bottles really struggling to gain interest, while HDPE bottles are getting a bit more domestic demand. Film grades are being bought by some deep sea and Turkish demand, but Europe is very quiet.

Recycled paper

Indian buyers were reported to be showing a bit less interest in both OCC and mixed this week, although this only brought down the price of the latter by a couple of quid.

For OCC, there were still quite a few orders around and about the £105 mark that helped to keep some value.

Multi has improved in value thanks to a UK mill buying good volume.

Otherwise, many feel that most trade for October is already done and are fulfilling orders, while starting to think what November will bring.

Recycled metals

Copper lost £50 per tonne this week as did brass. Ferrous grades including cans were down £10 per tonne.