The worldwide demand for used paper has recently boomed. Direct consequence: European papermakers fear the risk of shortages.

You’ll never throw away your used paper as before ... This waste has taken an unexpected value in a few months. It has become a rare commodity. While the recovery of this material in Europe increased from 40% to over 72% in twenty years, never supply has been as difficult.

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Manufacturers are struggling to get recycled paper and cardboard. "Prices are rising, the material is scarce," says Stéphane Thiollier, the president of the manufacturer of recycled paper Careo. In six years, the price per ton of recovered corrugated increased from 45 to 151 euros. A ton of magazines and newspapers from 48 to 127 euros.

China, major client

The 60 million tonnes collected, sorted and valued each year are no longer sufficient to meet the appetite of European manufacturers. This considerable amount attracted very quickly the envy outside the borders of the Old Continent. The market for used paper has gone global and the world’s largest consumer of materials of all kinds, China has positioned itself as a client.

"Our supply difficulties are explained primarily by the thirst of China for all raw materials and paper in particular," an administrator Revipap analysis, the grouping of French papermakers use of recycled paper. From 2000 to 2009, Chinese imports of recycled paper and paperboard increased from 3.7 to 27.5 million tonnes. An annual growth of 30%. These imports could reach 35 million tons by 2014.

As for exports from Europe to China, they have exploded since 2003, as in any other region from 4.8 to 13.2 million tonnes in 2009. Why the greed? "Numerous production capacities have been opened in China in recent years. Reservoirs of wood and recycled paper are low," said Bernard Lombard, Director at the Confederation of European Paper Industries.

The recyclers in question

China (India tomorrow) attracts the more recycled paper and cardboard. It fills the container ships that previously returned empty to its ports. The material collected is used to produce packaging that package the products made in China shipped to Europe and the rest of the world.

Between 2001 and 2010, prices for paper and paperboard European export doubled. Only the period between late 2008 and early 2010 at the height of the crisis, has seen prices fall. Whatever types of paper, their prices are already above their level before the crisis.

Consequence of the shortage and rising prices: the relationship between industry players stretch. On the one hand collectors and recyclers by providing the resource. The other, cardboard and paper manufacturers, which supply recycled paper. Between them, the barometer is not looking good.

Recently, the leader of a paper manufacturer based in France has made known his complaints concerning the liability of recyclers in the leak of documents. "This has triggered the wrath of professionals, testifies he anonymously. I have received threats of retaliation if I continued to talk." His speech, however, is in step with the rest of his profession. "France is becoming a third world country. It gets a raw material and exports, creating value added outside the European territory, asserts an administrator Revipap without fear of caricature. We ’third Worldization. "

CEO of ArcelorMittal France and President of the Union of Recycling Industries, Hervé Bourrier concerned about the flight of recycled materials outside Europe. "Recycled products are a resource to become a competitive advantage for developed countries that have invested in infrastructure for collection and processing industries valuing these materials locally and sustainably," says he.

Lobbying papermakers

The three major recyclers Paprec, Sita and Veolia confirm export part of their products in China and Asia. But refute their responsibility for the shortage situation described by the paper manufacturers. "China is a scapegoat. We export what paper manufacturers do not take from us , protests Bernard Roth, the executive director of Sita Trading. We sell to the highest bidder, at market prices."

Recyclers highlight opportunities in the interest of Chinese demand, while the consumption of recycled paper and paperboard in Europe tends to stagnate. "We do not export recovered paper to China in 2010 and only 30% of our board," William tempers Lebec, the Director General for Trade at the recycler Paprec.

We advise our clients, companies and readers to not underestimate the value of paper and cardboard. Ask for prices to different providers. The main players in Belgium are Sita, Van Gansewinkel, Shanks, Vanheede, Indaver...

Source: www.usinenouvelle.com - Olivier James - 30 décembre 2011

Categories : Advices | Tags : Waste Management | 0 commentaire associé