(I) – Relying as it does on exports, the recovered paper market in Italy experienced many of the same market developments observed in other European markets in the first two weeks of December. After buyers from Far Eastern markets secured large recovered paper volumes in October and particularly in November, the flurry of orders dissipated again in December. As a consequence, prices for ordinary recovered paper grades declined on both export and domestic markets.
Recovered paper collection volumes in December are again noticeably lower than is usual for the time of the year. Market participants could not make out any increase in recovered paper arisings in the market or in collection volumes due to the approaching Christmas season. Furthermore, a rainy November in parts of Italy had contributed to poorer quality and lower collection volumes, some players reported.