Market Report

Hope for plastic and textile recycling markets 

NL-Tilburg, 12 April 2026
 

The optimism surrounding this week’s ceasefire in the Middle East may well have sparked a positive mood on stock markets worldwide, but it has not made much difference to the waste paper market. At least, it has not led to increased demand or higher prices. However, shipping rates to Asia have stabilized to some extent. And some shipping lines have even lowered rates slightly on certain routes. That could also help the market, as there is hardly any difference between local European prices and export prices for the lower (packaging) grades. Whereas last week there was a tendency to sell more locally, exports might now be a bit more attractive again. But it’s all rather limited. The differences are minor and exports often remain complex, with all the risks that entails.

Perhaps the upcoming BVSE conference in Berlin might add a little fuel to an almost dying fire – after all, the upturn in prices for low grades more or less started there last year. Actually in Italy, but the spark spread to Bonn. We shall see.

There is, however, a glimmer of sunshine on the market for plastic and textile recycling. Whilst end-users such as moulders in the plastics sector are facing a doubling of prices for virgin granulate, recyclers are attempting to push up the selling prices of regranulate, and they are succeeding to a certain extent. We are just at the end of the 4-month cycle, so demand is not high, but there is some nervousness regarding availability. So, prices are rising and the focus is on further increasing prices, as margins have been far too thin for a long time.

In the textile sector too, there are signs of an upward trend in the prices of certain grades, which have suddenly become in strong demand. This applies

not only to exports but also to the domestic market. Hopefully, this trend will continue, as the textile sector also needs higher margins.

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.