Plastic recyclers at the Bureau of International Recycling’s (BIR) online convention have reported “huge demand and high prices” for recycled material, but said “terrible conditions” in the shipping markets are making export difficult.
The convention took place from 31 May to 2 June
During the plastics recycling committee meeting on Wednesday (2 June) some recyclers said the increased demand has even led to difficulties in fulfilling supply obligations.
Henk Alssema of Netherlands-based Vita Plastic kicked of the committee by saying the increased demand seen since the turn of the year has seen prices “surge” and said many are reporting difficulties fulfilling orders.
Committee board member at the Plastic Recycling Corporation of California, Sally Houghton, followed by saying the industry is in a “wonderful situation now that we’ve only dreamt of”, but cautioned that the most beneficial conditions existed only in market segments where mandated recycled content was providing “demand pull”.
Clockwise from top left: Eelco Smit, Philips, Henk Alssema, Vita Plastics, Max Craipeau, Greencore Resources, Theo van Ravesteyn, PolymerHub, Sally Houghton, Plastic Recycling corporation California, Steve Wong, China Sustainable Plastics Federation
New technologies
Summarising the increased demand from consumer brands was Eelco Smit, senior director within the group sustainability team at Philips.
He said large brands have sought “security of supply” but most prefer to leave recycling in the hands of existing experts rather than to build their own processing plants.
He added that brands who are “willing to invest in new technologies” provide a “big opportunity” for recyclers to either “scale up or start up”.
Supply issues
Dr Steve Wong of Fukutomi Recycling Ltd, who is also executive president of the China Sustainable Plastics Association, then highlighted supply issues created by the Basel Convention plastic waste amendments introduced at the start of this year.
He observed: “In the Far East especially, I don’t think there will be enough recycled material for recycled content purposes.”
Turkey
In response to Turkey’s imports ban, Max Craipeau of China-based Greencore Resources Ltd expressed the belief that it could lead to a “significant increase in flows” particularly lower grade plastics, between Western Europe and processing plants in Eastern Europe.
Another factor for exporters had been what Mr Alssema described as the “terrible” conditions in the shipping market, characterised by “container shortages, high costs and unreliable services”.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Plastic
