Market trends

The International Energy Agency confirmed that member countries released 400 million barrels from emergency reserves in March to address supply disruption.

The uncertainty has also forced Orora to pause a share buyback announced late last year for up to US$270 million (approximately €248 million).

The price hike on uncoated recycled paperboard reflects intense pressure on recycled fiber markets, where energy-intensive recycling processes have seen power costs surge.

The anticipated 2026 deficit of 240,000 ounces is a marked improvement thanks to a 2 percent rise in total supply, driven mainly by a 10 percent increase in recycling as higher prices encourage more scrap recovery.

The Plastic Out programme highlights the impact of collaboration across teams, regions, and supply-chain partners in driving meaningful progress on sustainability.

Higher oil prices linked to the conflict are increasing the cost of petrochemical-based materials such as plastic resins, tightening margins across the sector.

PET leads material streams with 25 percent market share, and packaging represents the largest application at 40 percent.

Passive systems now account for approximately 60 percent of pharmaceutical cold chain packaging globally, with that share expected to rise as carriers prioritize belly cargo space over dedicated cool dollies.

Channel A reported that four out of five supermarket locations were completely sold out, leaving many scrambling to find alternatives and sparking a broader conversation about supply chain vulnerabilities in the face of global conflict.

The three-month contract softened more modestly, with bid prices easing 0.09 percent to US$3,217 per tonne and offer prices slipping 0.12 percent to US$3,218 per tonne.