PLASTINFO Market Monitor MM-005 is out: costs rise, while demand remains fragile
2026.09.02 - 15:15
↑ Energy costs and some key feedstocks came under renewed upward pressure in Europe. ↑ Low Rhine water levels disrupted logistics and affected operations at several German chemical producers. ↓ Weak demand and ample supply continued to limit producers’ ability to pass higher costs through to polymer prices. ↓ Recycled polymers remained under pressure, although the pace of decline began to moderate for some grades. ↕ Recovered paper and cardboard markets moved in different directions across Europe, with no single regional trend. ○ For recycled glass, available evidence was insufficient to establish a reliably documented European price trend.
Costs and demand moving in different directions
The second half of August brought an unusual combination of pressures. High energy prices, Rhine logistics disruptions and rising costs for certain feedstocks increased pressure on European producers, while subdued demand, competitive imports and excess capacity continued to constrain pricing power downstream. MM-005 separately examines developments in PE, PP, PET, PVC, styrenics and recycled polymers, while expanding the Market Monitor coverage for the first time to include recovered paper and cardboard, as well as recycled glass The resulting picture does not point to a single European “secondary raw materials market”. Recycled polymers continue to face significant economic pressure, recovered paper and cardboard show clear differences between national markets, while market transparency for recycled glass remains insufficient to establish a robust price direction. The report also examines regulatory and trade developments with potential market implications, including the application of the PPWR, EU anti-dumping measures on PTA and the new European framework for vehicle circularity and the future use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry.Download
PLASTINFO Market Monitor MM-005 16–31 August 2026 link (pdf): Market Monitor 005