Standard recyclate prices in Europe were mostly unchanged during October with very minor price movements either way, but prices are down across the board this month in very thin trading.
Recycled PET clear flake and clear food-grade pellet prices have slipped €10 per metric ton during each of the last two months influenced by lower demand from the beverages sector and the falling cost of virgin material.
Recycled low density polyethylene prices were largely unchanged last month but prices dipped by €5-10 per tonne this month.
Last month, recycled high density PE colored blow molding prices remain unchanged; black injection molding pellet prices fell slightly. This month, recycled HDPE prices have slipped by €5-10 per tonne.
In October, recycled polypropylene black copolymer pellet prices were rolled over month-on-month while black homopolymer pellet prices softened slightly. This month, recycled PP prices have fallen by €20 per tonne. Recycled high impact polystyrene prices have fallen by €20 per tonne in each of the last two months.
Demand for standard recyclate has remained well below normal during October and November because of low end user demand for recyclate. Recyclers have continued to run their plants at reduced rates to prevent stocks from rising. Recyclers are expected to continue running their production lines at a very low level for the rest of the year in order to keep stocks low for year-end balance sheet purposes.
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. PRE says that this has exacerbated the recession in the market, resulting in many recycling companies shutting their business in 2023.
Latest recycling plant closures include Viridor and QC Polymer. UK waste management group Viridor plans to close its Avonmouth polymers recycling facility just before Christmas. PET bottle recycler QC Polymer has been in insolvency since 29th October with the plant near Birmingham, UK now being offered for sale by public tender.
The latest pricing charts can be accessed here.