Market Report

Quiet market with unchanged prices

NL-Tilburg, 10 May 2026

Sometimes expectations are met, but should we really be happy about that? Last week, it already seemed unlikely that prices would change much in May. Exports of low grades are weak, so local mills were waiting to see if anything would happen in Asia—in fact, nothing has changed compared to last week. Perhaps it could be said that demand in Asia has dropped even further. Mill buyers are no longer willing to place orders even at the prices still offered last week. No, prices need to be slightly lower, which means the price gap between export and local prices would narrow even further. That doesn’t encourage placing large-volume orders, because why take the hard road in export when it can be sold right around the corner?

The situation is no different for middle and high grades. Prices are continuing at May levels—that is the general picture. This does not mean that small price increases are not occurring here and there, but these are solely to offset surcharges for transport rates, with ex-works prices remaining unchanged. Looking on the bright side, you could say it’s still a seller’s market; otherwise, those extra transport costs would have been passed on to us as well.  But it’s not exactly a pleasant situation. And so there are already opinions suggesting that price reductions in June cannot be ruled out either. So, sentiment from high to low.  When was the last time prices went down in June? Not that long ago, in 2023, but that was during a steady decline in prices of lower grades since 2022, when prices peaked at their highest level in 60 years. Normally, insofar as that exists in our industry, markets tend toward higher prices as summer approaches. And especially so in the wake of geopolitical incidents. None of that seems to be happening now.

What is particularly worrying is the ongoing wave of closures and bankruptcies among our customers. Coldenhove, a mill producing special paper in Eerbeek (NL) that has been in operation for 350 years, was declared bankrupt this week. A buyer is being sought, but how realistic is that?
Smurfit Westrock is set to close four converting plants in the UK,

as well as the SSK paper mill in Birmingham, which produces 200,000 tons of fluting/medium and testliner annually. And DS Smith (IP) is closing its converting plant in Launceston (UK).And then there’s Essity, which is going to reevaluate its position with its tissue division, and selling it off isn’t out of the question. These are all pretty drastic steps that, we can’t see it any different, were not considered out of a sense of luxury.



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.