Fresh recycled polyethylene activity has surfaced in Europe, with a UK-based producer heard to have offered its recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE) blow moulding grade at GBP 687.50 per metric ton. The grade, specified as mixed colour with a melt flow index (MFI) of 0.95, is being offered in 20-ton lots on an Ex Works basis for September 2025 shipment, according to a source.
The offer reflects the continuing adjustments in Europe’s recycled polymer sector, where pricing remains closely linked to fluctuations in virgin HDPE benchmarks and the broader balance between supply and demand. Market participants noted that while recycled blow moulding grades are in steady demand from packaging, container, and industrial product manufacturers, buyers have remained selective in recent weeks, seeking cost advantages amid high energy prices and competitive virgin polymer levels.
Industry observers highlighted that the GBP 687.50/mt level positions the material competitively within the European recycling market, though uptake will depend heavily on converters’ appetite to substitute virgin HDPE with recycled alternatives. Regulatory pressure to increase recycled content in packaging across the European Union continues to provide long-term support, but short-term trading remains cautious as downstream orders have yet to show strong signs of recovery.
The Ex Works offer basis indicates buyers will bear transportation costs, a factor that could influence regional competitiveness depending on logistics arrangements and proximity to end-users. Traders suggested that additional offers in the coming weeks from continental Europe could provide clearer benchmarks for September, particularly as converters gear up for seasonal activity in the final quarter.
