Market Report

Wintertime also entered recovered paper market?

NL-Tilburg, October 26th 2025
 

An hour back in time, so it will be dark earlier. Typical also for today’s recovered paper market now the recycled dry pulp story for China indeed seems to be having an effect on occ (kls/cardboard) prices in Asia ? Buyers over there are touting lower offers for occ grades from the US, and as a result, occ prices were quoted at $10 per tonne lower than last week. However, hardly any orders were placed. In India, where a few buyers have already reported these last days after Divali, the damage was less at first glance: minus $5. But whether this will hold up in the coming days remains to be seen. Some buyers in South-East Asia are talking about price reductions of as much as $20 per tonne. But that seems very opportunistic. However, it will also depend on the prices that will apply in Europe and the USA for November.

In addition to the prices in export for low (packaging) grades, there is also pressure on prices for middle and high grades. This is due to the cheap supply of pulp, but also to lower demand due to poor orders for new finished paper (and board).
Some buyers in Europe have already indicated price reductions for lower (packaging) grades, but we can also expect lower prices for middle and high grades or, where this is not the case, lower mill intake. There is little demand, stocks are described as high and, as is not unusual, the paper and board industry will reduce stocks towards the end of the year. Especially now that it looks like there may not be price increases on the horizon before the end of the year.  More the opposite, in fact, so why rush to buy?

All in all, there is a feeling in the market that it will all remain fragile and the outlook for the coming months is somewhat gloomy. In terms of price levels, we are still at a high level for most grades compared to 2018,

2019, 2020 and 2023. So, we could still go lower. Whether that will happen is the question, because in our chain it is not really in anyone's interest. But sometimes necessity knows no law. 

Price indication

Price indication in Europe for low grades of recovered paper, sorted, baled and ex works are now between € 60 and € 80 per tonne. These prices are depending on quality, available volume, region and loaded weight.

Look here at the Price chart >> 
  
The price chart gives an indication of the price  of mixed paper, separately collected, in the Netherlands free delivered mill over the last 10 years.
Scrolling over the top of the columns gives the exact price indication in Euro's per ton.