Oct 5 2012
A combination of low generation of recovered fibre and declining prices being offered by mills are putting the squeeze on European paper recyclers. Several European recyclers see the downward trend continuing for the next several quarters as many European countries struggle with challenging economies.
One recycler notes that both printer grades and brown grades have seen prices drop by anywhere from 25 to 50 percent over the past six months. Another source says that brown grades have fallen from around the $140 per metric ton level to around the mid-$80s level.
The high grade sector in Europe is seeing many of the same dynamics taking place in the United States, with printing plants closing down, further reducing the supply of higher grades of recovered fiber. “Printers continue to go bust,” one scrap paper dealer says.
In an industry that is facing challenges, it is now more important than ever to keep abreast of market conditions and work with business partners and peers to assess and address issues, which may change the future landscape of paper recycling. Surviving and thriving during these turbulent times will be addressed in sessions throughout this year’s Paper Recycling Conference Europe.
A panel of speakers from Austria Paper Recycling, Reno de Medici and Metso Paper will discuss ways in which the industry can counteract and adjust to the downturn in supply of paper and board.
Opportunities in other markets, across geographies and industries will also be a focus of a number of sessions, including sought after market updates from China, Middle East and India and what developments in these regions mean for your business.
Insights from other supply- and demand-side stakeholders will also feature on the programme, including retail giant M&S and tissue manufacturer Kimberly Clark, to assess the effect of the packaging and tissue production trends on the recycled fibre industry.
Source: http://www.paperrecyclingeurope.com/