Market Report

50 years IWPPA

NL-Tilburg, 29 June 2025
 

Prices for low (packaging) grades will be adjusted significantly downwards by the local European paper and board industry. The intentions vary considerably, from €10-€15 per tonne in North-West and Southern Europe, but also in parts of Germany, to €25-€40 per tonne in the same Germany. Buyers who want to lower their prices will find that this brings them back below export prices. So, back to a “normal” situation. Further away from the port, this may not be a problem, but closer to the main ports, it will have a noticeable effect.

After all, export prices remained unchanged this week, and in some cases a higher price was paid in dollars due to the weakening of the currency. In addition, there is pressure on container rates. Certain shipping companies also offer lower rates for certain destinations. That also helps. 
We are seeing, particularly in the UK, that export prices are now significantly higher than what continental buyers are willing to pay. This will largely shift the flow from the UK back to Asia.

For the middle and higher quality grades, it remains to be seen what will happen. In general, it seems that the situation will remain unchanged compared to June, but as always, there are rumours of price reductions as well as increases. No major fluctuations are expected. Supply and demand are reasonably balanced.

The British Recycling Association celebrated its 50th anniversary this week. It started out as a rebel organisation called the IWPPA (Independent Waste Paper Processors Association), whose main aim was to break away from the British Waste Paper Association, which was dominated by the (integrated companies of the) paper and board mills, and to seek outlets outside this small circle, the IWPPA succeeded, especially in its early years, in bringing about a real revolution that was not welcomed with enthusiasm by the BWPA. This was partly due to the quality of the initiators of the association, who had long been fed up with the five major market players making agreements on market prices and passing the ball to each other. However, as is often the case with rebels, these rebels also became socially acceptable over the years. Not that the rebellious fire did not continue to burn, but the consolidation in the waste paper sector and in the paper and cardboard industry, the acquisitions by waste management companies and the arrival of Asian buyers with their purchasing offices in Europe automatically increased and broadened sales, and the notorious price agreements were overtaken 

by time.
As a result, independent waste paper processors lost control of their own organisation. After all, these developments meant that the number of “independents” was steadily declining, and money had to come in to keep an organisation running. It was no secret that the federation was largely financed by the trade branch, which concluded central contracts with paper and cardboard mills. When that proved insufficient, traders, waste management companies and paper and board groups were admitted as members alongside the “independents”. This allowed the influence of parties that had been excluded at the time of the federation's establishment to creep back into the organisation and the ‘independency’ disappeared through the backdoor by a name change. This happened not only in the UK, but similar developmens were seen elsewhere. So, now the question remains: can these structures of organisations still add value, or should they merge with other federations that also represent waste paper companies or represent the interests of waste management companies? The Belgian example, so to speak. To ask the question is to answer it, because unfortunately it no longer matters.  

Price indication

Price indication in Europe for low grades of recovered paper, sorted, baled and ex works are now between € 60 and € 90 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.