September’s recycling market was hoped to bring back some life for certain grades, and there is some evidence that this happened.
Plastic prices, for packaging grades at least, continue to be driven by the increasing PRN/PERN price. This is pushing up physical material prices too, especially film.
There was a touch more demand in the paper market too, and this helped to increase prices a little.
Metal prices fell for copper and brass, with everything else stable.
Although the pound fell against the dollar midweek when Prime Minister Boris Johnson prorogued Parliament, it ended the week roughly in the same place at $1.22.
Against the euro, it was also relatively stable at the end of the week at €1.10.
Recycled plastic
It was again a story of the PRN/PERN with this reaching £425 per tonne this week, from £410 a week ago.
Bottle prices didn’t see any increase, but LDPE 98/2 increased by £20 per tonne, driven by extra demand from Europe too as buyers returned from holidays. UK buyers were largely resistant to price increases, although were prepared to push the boat out a little to loyal customers.
The price range for LDPE 98/2 can be anywhere from £450 per tonne at the bottom to £620 at the top.
Forecast prices
1-week | 4-week | |
PET | 412-418 | 405-411 |
HDPE | 670-676 | 660-666 |
LDPE | 597-603 | 584-590 |
Recycled paper
There were some very mixed reports coming out of the paper market, with some reporting negative markets, and some reporting a more positive market. It seemed to depend on where and with whom you were trading.
The overall market appeared to be slightly upward though in the end.
China was buying OCC, but not all mills. Indonesia in particular seemed to be interested, looking to buy good quality material at above £70.
But then Europe and UK buying was weak in the mid-£50s and India below that.
News & pam dropped though by £5 per tonne – a reflection of good stocks at mills.
Mixed paper was stable.
1-week | 4-week | |
OCC | 65-69 | 63-67 |
ONP | 71-75 | 72-76 |
Mixed | 27-31 | 27-31 |
Recycled metals
Copper and brass fell after prices dropped on the LME. Other metal grades were stable.
Recycling prices
For recycled paper prices, click here
For recycled plastic prices, click here
For recycled metal prices, click here
For recycled glass prices, click here
For PRN/PERN prices, click here