Exporting recycled materials is becoming increasingly challenging as more and more countries refuse to take material, particularly plastics.
With China shut to plastics, Thailand and Vietnam are effectively now shut too. While exports to Poland are looking increasingly difficult.
Fortunately, a strong PRN for packaging grades, and demand from domestic and European sources is helping to keep plastics prices stable (more below).
In the paper market, Chinese demand continues to push up the price of N&P, while OCC has eased a little as non-China demand falls (more below).
The tariff war between China and US is pushing down scrap metal prices.
Although only a small change, the pound had strengthened at the time of writing to $1.32 this week, compared to $1.31 last week. This makes UK material a touch more expensive.
Recycled plastics
Prices have remained largely stable as we enter the new month. PET and HDPE bottles are currently in demand from European sources, with manufacturing’s desire for recycled content for sustainability reasons, helping to compensate for the loss of the Chinese market.
Film prices remain unchanged, with UK and Europe keen to buy ahead of the summer shutdown. However, with some non-China Asian markets effectively shutting their doors to film, demand may suffer as a result.
In industrial plastics, PP Regrind has eased a little following a fall in demand from Asian markets. Although US prices of virgin PP have risen, globally the reverse has happened due to plenty of material being available. However, the expectation is that prices will largely stay where they are now for the time being.
Recycled paper
The price of OCC came off a little this week. Although Chinese buyers maintained their recent prices, above £150 and often around £160 per tonne, other non-China buyers began to reduce their offer prices due to falling demand. Although this was only by a few quid, it was enough to pull the overall price down.
Non-China Asian demand appears to be waning due to yards being full, while UK and European mills continue to gorge on the cheaper mixed.
N&P continues to benefit from some Chinese demand and has seen another £5 in value this week.
Mixed paper remained unchanged even though demand is good for the best material.
Recycled metal
The US/China tariff war continues to push prices down for copper grades, which are most likely to be affected.
Copper is down £100 this week, and the expectation is that more is on the way.
Other metals are largely stable, but downward pressure seems most likely.
Prices
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