In February, there were still no signs of a widespread rebound in sales volumes on the waste plastics market in Germany. Although demand picked up in some sub-segments, it continues to lag pre-crisis levels, according to recyclers. Many companies are still sitting on inventory and most sales of regrind and regranulate in February were done at unchanged prices. In March, there are attempts to raise prices slightly by €10-30 per tonne, yet converters are simultaneously trying to get discounts for larger order volumes.
The latest price hikes for primary plastics, which were sometimes in the triple-digit per tonne range, have not yet carried over for recyclate on the waste plastics market. One reason for this is the generally weak economy, market participants say.
Another reason is that even though primary plastics prices in Europe have risen due to tighter production, it is expected they could retreat again as a result of inexpensive imports, they add. Many recyclers continue to work at less than full capacity utilisation and are in the red.
There is also speculation about a few companies being sold after a very poor year in 2023.
On the export market for waste plastics, there is an upward trend in shipments to Asia. Moreover, recyclers from Turkey, who have been granted new import licences, started purchasing again in February. But the prices paid by Turkish buyers, for example for film scrap, are still lower than those paid by converters from Malaysia and Indonesia, exporters say.
Exporters anticipate slight price increases for post-commercial scrap film in March amidst good demand on the export market.
Read the full monthly report on the waste plastics market in Germany and access price tables and graphing tools here:
