The latest pricing charts can be accessed here.
Standard recyclate prices were mostly unchanged over the last two months in quite thin trading, although there has been a small price uptick for higher quality grades. Demand for standard recyclate still remained well below normal levels during the peak summer holiday month of August but has failed to recover as expected when the holiday period drew to a close in September.
The R-PET sector is the exception; demand for R-PET clear flake remained close to normal levels in August due to the hot summer weather.
Recyclers have continued to run their plants at reduced rates over the last two months to prevent an increase in stocks. The R-PET sector was once again the exception, where plant operating rates were close to normal levels in August. R-PET plant operating rates have been trimmed this month because beverage sector demand has subsided.
In August, R-PET clear food-grade pellet prices and clear flake prices edged €10/tonne higher while coloured flake prices were rolled over from the previous month. A similar trend has emerged for September with coloured flake prices unchanged and a small rise for clear food-grade pellet and clear flake prices.
R-LDPE natural film and translucent film prices were up by €10/tonne in August with black extrusion pellet prices unchanged. This month, black extrusion pellet prices are again unchanged; natural film and translucent film prices have fallen slightly on low demand.
In August, R-HDPE black injection moulding pellet prices increased by €10/tonne while coloured blow moulding pellet prices were rolled over. Coloured blow moulding prices once more remain unchanged this month with black injection moulding material up again by €10/tonne.
R-PP prices were rolled over in August but have slipped slightly this month because demand has failed to recover after the holidays.
R-HIPS prices were stable last month but have slipped back by €20/tonne in September.
Standard recyclate prices are likely to soften further in October. Stock levels are more than adequate and there are few signs of an upturn in demand. However, recyclers will attempt to resist large price reductions as profit margins are very thin.
The latest pricing charts can be accessed here.