The German market for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is relatively stable in most respects. Recyclers say that, for the most part, arisings are unchanged compared with the beginning of the year. Revenues from the sale of reclaimed fractions also continue to be relatively good.
Rising exchange prices for copper were offset by higher costs and the increasing complexity of treatment processes as well as declining revenues for other materials. In sum, these effects meant that treatment prices for the individual collection categories were unchanged at the end of April compared with January in almost all cases.
WEEE arisings have now stabilised at a low level, according to market participants. However, there are also regional differences. While volumes in the East of Germany are still said to be lagging prior-year levels, other regions are reporting presumably seasonal upticks in municipal collection volumes. However, given the current macroeconomic environment, nobody is seeing a general trend of higher e-waste generation.
Click below to read the full quarterly report on the German e-scrap market and access treatment prices for material in the four main collection categories. In addition, the monthly EUWID index for the material value of fridges and freezers has been updated. This data can also be found below:
