Recycling prices and market commentary: 27 July 2018

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Aluminium can recycling

Uncertainty is the key word that keeps coming up when you talk to anyone in the recycling market at present.

Fear of a complete China shutdown is dominating conversations, as is the closure of Malaysia to plastic imports for three months. At least Vietnam is showing signs that it will continue to accept material, even if it won’t issue new import licenses and imports will be subject to a tougher inspection regime.

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There is a view that the market is changing fundamentally, but that it will take time for solutions to be found.

Now that the school holidays have started, many market participants are heading off to the beach, hoping not to panic about the future of the market. As a result, it is expected that as usual, the market will be quiet throughout August.

The problem is, with conditions changing regularly, nobody knows what they will come back to in September.

In terms of market conditions, everything looks flat at the moment. Shipping cost are broadly unchanged, if you can get containers to Asia. Many shipping lines are nervous about boxes getting stuck on the water if an Asian country changes its import policies. The lines are therefore reluctant to ship material, or if they do, it will be at a premium unless it is a high volume exporter.

The exchange rate between the dollar was largely stable too hovering around $1.30, and actually keeping UK material relatively cheap. Against the euro, the pound was also stable in the region of €1.12.

Recycled plastics

There is a lot of searching going on at present for end destinations for material.

Much of Asia remains shut, and even if it is open, it is hard to get containers to there (see more above).

Destinations such as Indonesia and Turkey have become more of a focus since Malaysia and Vietnam became more tricky, but Indonesia has a rigid and time-consuming inspection system, while Turkey appears to have rapidly filled up.

As a result of this, film grades have come off by £10 per tonne this week and the view is that there could be a bit more to lose on this too. Domestic buyers are able to pick what they want and are opting for quality at good prices.

Bottle grades remain stable with domestic and some European demand helping to keep recycling prices in decent shape.

With the Q2 packaging data published by the Environment Agency last week, there is a lot of scratching of heads at the high numbers that came through – a record quarter in face. This is because during this period, not only did the China ban remain in place, but Asian countries also were not taking enough material for this to make sense.

Maybe the data is correct, but not everybody is convinced. It does mean though that the PRN value dropped by a couple of pounds and now sits at around £60 per tonne.

Recycled paper

News & pam gained £5 this week as Chinese demand helped to push it up further. Interest in this grade is also coming from UK and European newsprint mills of course too.

Mixed was also pushed up by a couple of quid as UK and European mills continue to want to snap up exceptionally good value material.

OCC remained stable, but keeping the same very wide spread between the top and bottom of the market. Above £160 per tonne for Chinese specification material has been common, but material for India has been closer to £80 and upwards. UK and Europe is somewhere in between depending on quality demands.

There is a lot of fear in the paper market though, with the uncertainty over a potential Chinese ban casting a lot of shadow. The sheer volume of material that China buys could potentially have nowhere to go next year or the year after if China goes through with a complete ban.

Putting in place the infrastructure to cope with this, won’t be ready in this timescale with at least five years looking more realistic.

The paper PRN price continues to rise, and this is at least providing some support. With the price around £15 per tonne, it seems £5 is being used to support the price for the seller with £10 going into the bank accounts of the buyer. With so much uncertainty, the PRN is being used as rainy day money for the storms that appear on the horizon.

Recycled metal

Scrap steel prices have fallen by £10 per tonne this week, although this fall hasn’t hit can prices as yet.

Aluminium cans also appear to be easing in value with the bottom end of the spread in particular easing down to £900 per tonne. In some circumstances, £1,000 per tonne is still available.

Copper grades however gained an extra £100 per tonne due to expectations of higher demand from China.

Recycling 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. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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