The latest pricing charts can be accessed here.
Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET)
The upswing in R-PET prices appears to be coming to an end, at least for the time being. In June, coloured and food-grade pellet prices fell by €10/tonne and €30/tonne, respectively. In contrast, clear flake prices increased by €20/tonne on the back of tighter supply brought about by fewer imports.
Recyclers had to factor in a reduction of €35/tonne for clear bottle scrap and a €20/tonne reduction for coloured bottle scrap. Beverage sector demand ran at normal levels while most recycling plants continued to operate at normal levels.
The downward slide in R-PET prices appears to have continued into July as costs fall further and sales are now fairly flat. The beverages sector seems to have passed its peak, although hotter summer weather in August could turn this around. Logistics sector demand is also likely to take a dip during the summer months. European recyclers continue to produce at normal levels while imports from Asia have slackened.
Recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE)
In June, R-HDPE coloured blow moulding pellet prices were rolled over; black injection moulding pellet prices fell by €10/tonne. For the injection moulding material, prices were under pressure from lower costs and weak demand. Plants continued to operate at reduced rates. Volume calls by the construction and automotive sectors remained low.
There appears to be very little impetus for change in July with R-HDPE prices likely to remain fairly flat. Costs continue to fall while there are few signs of demand stimuli.
Recycled low-density polyethylene (R-LDPE)
In June, R-LDPE prices fell as a result of lower costs and meagre demand. Natural film prices were down by €25-30/tonne with translucent film prices falling by €20/tonne compared to the previous month. Recyclers adjusted output to the lower demand. There are few signs of a demand stimuli from end use markets.
R-LDPE prices are expected to see a soft rollover in July. With costs falling slightly and demand low, suppliers are maintaining production levels in line with the low order intake. R-LDPE prices could slip a little over the month as a whole, but by only a small amount.
Recycled polypropylene (R-PP)
In June, R-PP prices fell due to low demand and pressure from the falling cost of off-spec material. Recyclers maintained low plant operating rates with no sign of a pick-up in demand. Consequently, further downward price pressure is likely over the summer.
R-PP prices are indeed coming under further downward pressure this month amid lower costs and stubbornly low demand across most end-use sectors.
Recycled high-impact polystyrene (R-HIPS)
In June, black R-HIPS pellet prices fell by €30/tonne as a result of the lower cost of virgin material and very low demand. Recyclers ran their production lines at mush reduced rates in response to the low demand.
The expectation is for R-HIPS prices to fall further in July. Virgin PS prices are continuing to slide while there is no sign of a pick-up in R-HIPS demand across most end-user sectors.
The latest pricing charts can be accessed here.