ICIS is implementing a process of rolling consultation on all of its pricing methodologies. This consultation paper is part of this formal process and covers all of the ICIS primary price points included in the recycled polyethylene terephthalate weekly publications.
The consultation asks both general questions about the suitability of the ICIS pricing methodology and questions addressing specific recycled polyethylene terephthalate market issues.
Click here to view the Recycled Polethylene Terephthalate Methodology Consultations 2024
Responses
ICIS received twenty-two responses during the consultation, and this summary takes into account all of them.
Fifteen responses highlighted the need for the European R-PET report to reflect price movements in the market during periods of volatility in a timelier manner, with several comments stating that prices should move on a weekly as opposed to monthly basis.
Two responses said French post-consumer PET bottle bale prices should be considered for the FD NWE colorless bale price.
Three responses said prices for imported material should be added to the report.
Two responses asked for price information on tray-to-tray bales and flakes.
One response asked for price information on single pellet solutions to be included in the report.
One response asked for Bulgaria to be included in the Eastern Europe (Europe E) bale and flake assessments.
One response asked that the wording of the current methodology be changed to include countries within Europe but not part of the European Union (EU), such as Serbia, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, as examples.
Decision
Based on the feedback received ICIS will plan to include material from continental Europe in its price assessments, but this will not include material from Turkey. For the FD NWE post-consumer PET bottle price, support exists to include bales delivered into that region from other European countries as well as continue to include prices for German bales that have not been sold as part of tolling or contract agreements (i.e., offered by retailers onto the open market). There is also strong support for more timely price movements during times of volatility, so ICIS will plan to allow for weekly price movements when supported by sufficient market confirmation of price changes.
ICIS is giving the market one month’s notice of the decision before implementation through this decision document and a note in the weekly report.
Once these changes become effective, ICIS will amend the R-PET methodology as follows:
In Europe, the FD NWE post-consumer PET bottle range reflects prices of bottles delivered into the NWE region from other European countries, excluding Turkey. The range reflects business done between regular partners on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.
The NWE colorless and mixed colored flake ranges represent weekly, biweekly, and monthly movements for freely negotiated business agreed between regular partners for European product. The FD NWE price assessment may include deals for the following month. All other flake price ranges represent weekly, biweekly, and monthly movements for freely negotiated business agreed between regular partners in their respective areas/countries. Flake assessments do not include imported material from outside mainland Europe, excluding Turkey.
ICIS will carry out further consultation with the market for the topics below.
ICIS will consult the market on whether French bale prices, which are assessed on a quarterly basis, should be included in the FD NWE price quote, and if so, how the quarterly price should be assessed alongside the freely negotiated prices for other countries.
ICIS will consult on the feasibility of including prices for non-European origin material, including material from Turkey, including how best to group certain countries and/or regions.
ICIS will consult the market on including Bulgaria (and any other eastern European countries not currently included) in the Eastern Europe assessment.
ICIS will consult on the feasibility of adding single pellet solution prices to the report, though this will depend on the volume of material currently being produced and sold on the merchant market, and the willingness of producers and buyers to disclose their prices.
ICIS will consult on the readiness of the tray-to-tray market and assess if the volume of both bales and flakes produced from post-consumer PET trays being traded on the European market is regular and sufficient to price on a regular basis.
A decision on the items above will be published in April.
