David Platt

Standard recyclate demand remained well below normal levels at the beginning of the new year, even though converters started to replenish their stocks.

At the start of 2025, standard thermoplastics prices saw very limited movement following stable ethylene and propylene prices. The overall demand picture remained lackluster, due to ongoing economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties, while supply remained more than adequate, despite the production cutbacks.

Recycled PET prices rise on higher costs.

Higher import costs, together with unsatisfactory producers’ margins, shifted pricing expectations toward a firmer market outlook in January. However, expectations failed to materialize by mid-January.

Prices for recycled resins in Europe continued on a slightly downward trend over the last two months of 2024, influenced by very low demand, higher stocks and the lower cost of bottle scrap.

In November, the price picture was dominated by rollovers or even small price reductions, despite an increase in the cost of feedstock.

According to Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), the European plastics recycling market is facing a significant downward trend, with a decrease in demand for recycled materials produced in Europe, reduced investments in domestic recycling and an increase in imports of recycled products from overseas markets.

PVC's surprising resilience can be attributed to the margin recovery attempts by producers that have been keeping the momentum tilted to the upside over the previous few months.

Market expectations in Europe are for a significant reduction in PET prices this month, possibly in the of €40-50 per metric ton. Other commodity resins rose throughout the region.

In July, the downward price pressure on standard recyclate in Europe eased for higher quality grades; however, prices for most lower specification material remained under pressure.

The PET market in Europe is enjoying a rare run of success with prices firming further over the last two months.

Europe's recycled resin producers managed to push through a price increase in May linked to higher raw material costs, but in June the short-lived price boost came to an end as a result of lower costs and weak demand.