Benelux

The summer holiday period has arrived in the Benelux. Traditionally, this means lower overall levels of yard activity and a slowdown in the market. This period usually goes hand in hand with yard clearances whereby, prior to leaving for holidays, operators look to move out as much of their inventory as possible. Consequently, more volume finds its way into the market. 

However, this year has been a little different so far: after the recent jump in metals prices, additional units found their way into the market earlier than usual and ahead of the summertime period. With availability tighter and overall activity slower, not a lot of surplus is to be seen these days. The pressure on some of the cleaner, high-grade copper-bearing recyclables coming from the Far East seems to have relented for the time being too. With more and more people leaving for the beach, it is expected to be calm and slow over the next few weeks.

Worthy of note, however, is the Belgian government’s announcement in mid-May that it will become a shareholder in Belgian recycler Umicore. Part of the reasoning behind this is to ensure the country is ready for the green transition. By becoming a shareholder, the government secures itself a seat at the table. Shortly afterwards, serious debates started within the EU (and within Benelux too) about the future outline of the entire electric vehicle/battery landscape - a story to be continued and followed.