Recycled Plastic Monthly Review: Price Gap Between New and Old Materials Continues to Narrow, Recycled Prices Under Pressure and Decline

Market Analysis for This Month

Figure 1 2025 China Recycled PE Main Market Price Trend Chart (Unit: Yuan/Ton)	Figure 2 2025 China's Recycled PP Main Market Price Trend Chart (Unit: Yuan/Ton)
Data source: Longzhong Information	Data Source: Longzhong Information

In October, the recycled plastic market prices fluctuated within a certain range. The "Golden October" peak season provided limited support, and downstream demand decreased compared to the previous month. Additionally, the continuous decline in new material prices, along with the narrowing price gap between new and recycled materials, has led to increased caution among end users in purchasing recycled materials. As of October 29, the mainstream reported prices for Shandong EVA white transparent first-grade particles were between 5800-6000 yuan/ton, while Hebei high-pressure white transparent first-grade particles were reported at 6000-6100 yuan/ton. The mainstream prices for Hebei Wahaha white first-grade particles were between 5200-5400 yuan/ton. In the recycled PP market, the mainstream price for Shandong white transparent high-quality first-grade particles was between 5400-5600 yuan/ton, while the mainstream price for Hebei white transparent high-quality particles was between 5300-5400 yuan/ton.

Downstream dynamics

This month, the average capacity utilization rate of downstream polyethylene has increased by 2.35%. Among them, the overall capacity utilization rate of agricultural films has increased by 15.84%; the capacity utilization rate of pipes has increased by 0.57%; the capacity utilization rate of packaging films has increased by 0.79%; the capacity utilization rate of hollow products has been adjusted up by 0.53%; the capacity utilization rate of injection molding has decreased by 2.85%; and the capacity utilization rate of fiber drawing has increased by 3.20%. The enthusiasm for terminal operations has increased, but due to the decline in raw material prices, purchasing has been somewhat cautious.

This month, both the production and operating rate of plastic weaving have increased simultaneously. The operating rate for plastic weaving is 44.2%, which is up 0.87 percentage points from the previous period but down 1.68 percentage points compared to last year. The peak season in October, combined with the boost from the holiday economy, supports the willingness of plastic weaving production enterprises to operate. However, the expected peak season has not materialized, resulting in only a slight increase in the industry’s operating rate, while the monthly production of plastic weaving has increased month-on-month but shows a downward trend year-on-year.

Next month Market Forecast

November Forecast: The recycled plastic market is gradually entering a demand off-season, but supported by promotional methods such as e-commerce platforms, the reduction in terminal demand is not significant and can still be sustained. Therefore, prices will subsequently decline, but the decline will be limited. The mainstream offer for Shandong EVA white transparent first-grade granules is between 5800-5900 yuan/ton, Hebei high-pressure white transparent first-grade granules are quoted at 6000 yuan/ton, and Hebei Wahaha white first-grade granules are quoted at 5200-5300 yuan/ton. In the recycled PP market, the mainstream price for Shandong white transparent premium first-grade granules is between 5400-5500 yuan/ton, while the mainstream price for Hebei white transparent premium granules is 5300 yuan/ton.