Market Report

Export markets moving upwards, local to follow 

NL-Tilburg, 1 November 2026

Prices in export for occ and related grades will be higher in November than in October; that much is clear. Although demand in India is either low or non-existent, there is talk in South-East Asia and Turkey of CIF prices that are around $10 per tonne higher. It is expected that various mill buyers in Europe had already anticipated this as early as this week, with indications of price rises of €5 to €10 per tonne, and even peaks considerably higher than that from mill buyers who held back briefly over the last months. Now, it seems, they are making up for lost time.
With export selling prices continuing to rise, it could hardly be otherwise. Those laggards who had previously estimated that prices would fall towards the end of the year will receive few deliveries. But, as we know, aligning with current market prices can make up for a lot. Exactly where and how this will play out will become clear next week.

As for the middle and high grades, demand is also present, and local indications for November have already been given of a rise of +€5. Whether it will stay at that level is uncertain, as generation of these grades is still lagging behind, whilst there are also export opportunities at prices higher than local ones. So, we’ll have to wait and see on that front too.
Furthermore, the situation following the fire at Stora has improved to the extent that recovered paper is once again being accepted. Not yet at full capacity, but the worst is over – fortunately for Stora and, consequently, for other stakeholders as well.

Plastic market EU and UK – world of difference

Let’s take a brief look at the market for recycled plastic packaging in the UK. There, the introduction of EPR and the obligation to add recycled content (or face a ‘fine’) to plastics placed on the market as packaging, together with the P(E)RN system and (for now) the continuation of exports, an environment has been created that still yields decent selling prices for British recyclers. As the import of recycled plastic into the UK is also still permitted – although this is only possible for single stream (unmixed, clean) plastics – there will undoubtedly be a flow of material from the continent to the UK. After all, the UK is an OECD country and

the market is much closer than, for example, Turkey. This will undoubtedly affect local prices for recycled plastic. The fact that the P(E)RN can only be issued for recycled plastic packaging placed on the British market by manufacturers of products sold there creates a barrier to exports to that country. Not to mention the export opportunities for British operators, which will remain as long as there is no import ban in the EU. Backed by the P(E)RN, EU recycling companies will continue to face stiff competition from British suppliers, even for higher-quality recycled plastics. Surely there must be a better way of doing things in a developed part of the world, one might think.

Price indication

Price indication in Europe for low grades of recovered paper, sorted, baled and ex works are now between € 90 and € 110 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.