Market Report

Optimism is back

NL-Tilburg, 11 January 2026
 

Mill buyers in export countries of cardboard grades and other low grades appeared on the market as expected last week, and in general quoted prices were $5 per tonne higher than in December. This is caused by higher prices in the US, where supply is limited due to continued restricted collection, partly caused by poor weather conditions in various regions. Demand in South-East Asia and India is good, which has put some upward pressure on prices for low grades. Whether an increase of $5 per tonne will result in large volume orders remains to be seen. Some shipping lines are already talking about increases in shipping rates, and road transport is also becoming more expensive now that transporters have announced higher rates across the board as of 1 January. These have certainly not been accepted yet, but it is clear that certain increases will be unavoidable.

Both in the US and in Europe, local mill buyers indicate that they want to keep prices for low grades unchanged. Some buyers who were already paying much lower prices have raised their prices somewhat, but still lag considerably behind export prices.
For medium and high grades, local prices in the US have remained unchanged. In Europe, a few buyers of de-inked grades for graphic paper have lowered their prices slightly, but in general, prices in Europe can also be said to have remained unchanged. We are still waiting for an overview of what will be available after a period of very limited generation during the end-of-year holidays.

With rising costs, the recovered paper sector will need to be able to increase its margins. The first thing to look at is always the selling prices. If there is nothing to be gained there, then adjustments will have to be made to purchasing. It is still early in the new year, so it is not yet entirely clear which direction things

will take. However, the feeling is that we are in a “seller's market”. Demand is good and the available volume is not large.   

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.