Platts European Recycled LDPE Assessments

Platts assessments are based on market information, including, but not limited to, firm bids and offers, and trades reported to the editor up to the close of business (4.30 pm London time) on each day.

All the information used to inform the assessment is published transparently on Platts platforms as "heards". An assessment rationale is published explaining what the assessments are and how they have been reached.

A weekly market commentary accompanies the price assessments and rationale, which highlights the most important trends that have affected the markets that week and provides insight into what the market expects over the coming weeks.

• Comparative strength across recycled polymers
• More recyclers following suit to start holiday early

Mixed feedbacks on demand were heard for the European recycled LDPE market in the week to Nov. 29, while more recyclers, upstream and downstream participants were heard to follow the mainstream trend of an earlier-than-usual holiday start this year.

"Regarding the market specifics, we are seeing that sales of R-LDPE and R-LLDPE are performing better compared with other plastics," a recycler said.

Relative price resilience was noted for the lower priced segment of the pellets market -- the black and grey grades. However, some sources also mentioned that demand was not encouraging for translucent pellets as prices were affected by virgin LDPE's price trend.

"Indeed, we are also observing that many in the recycling industry are planning early holidays this year, with Dec. 15 being a common start date. We are aligning with this trend and will be adjusting our work schedule accordingly. It seems to be a general consensus that business activities will be slower in December," a recycler said.

Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Platts assessed recycled low density polyethylene translucent pellets at Eur940/mt DDP Northwest Europe Nov. 29, stable on the day and down Eur10/mt on the week, below a distributor's indication heard at Eur950/mt and taking direction from a DAP Northwest Europe indication heard from a buyer at Eur920-Eur1,000/mt, in line with a distributor's indication and a recycler's indication both heard at a slight decrease on the week.

R-LDPE grey pellets were assessed at Eur700/mt DDP NWE, unchanged on the day and on the week, in line with a distributor's indication heard at Eur700/mt.

R-LDPE black pellets were assessed at Eur640/mt DDP NWE, unchanged on the day and on the week, below a recycler indication's heard at Eur650/mt and in line with a distributor's indication heard at Eur640/mt.

Post-use LDPE Grade B bales were assessed at Eur360/mt DDP NWE, stable on the day and down Eur10/mt on the week, below a recycled indication of offer levels heard at Eur370/mt and considering market feedback of limited buying interest.

Post-use Grade A bales were assessed at Eur380/mt DDP NWE, stable on the day and down Eur10/mt on the week, tracking Grade B bales price trend and pending fresh indications.

Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.