MARKET UPDATE.

PLASTIC

Demand from the start of the year for good quality plastic material remains strong from China. Particular products in demand are good quality bottles and high quality film grades. There is little appetite for lower quality materials like mixed plastics, wash grade film and 80/20 material. "The differential in price of good quality material and low quality is widening so it is important to improve your quality if you want to maximise your revenue," saysJoe Bisland Commercial Director.

Pern prices for plastic range from £6/8 depending on quantity. With continued high tonnage being recycled expectations are that prices will remain in this area.

STEEL

Strong demand from overseas is pushing the price paid for steel cans ever upwards with prices typically £85/115 dependant on quality, bale density and collection point.

The particular demand from India may well be short lived with its econmy experiancing  inflationary pressures and a tightening on available credit.

The pern is round about £25/30 with little expectation at the moment that it will reach the heady heights of £125 of last year, but you never know.

PAPER

Strong demand for OCC material has seen the price move from £60 to £95 per tonne and expectations  are that this strong demand will continue for a few more months.

With plenty of material available pern prices are at the £2/4 level with little chance of improving.

ALUMINIUM

Prices for this material have shown sharp increases from £700 to £890 per tonne. This trend looks to continue in the short term.

Pern prices are flat at £22/26 because of poor demand at the moment.