Benelux

In my conversations over recent days with a wide variety of Benelux stakeholders, the majority of them spoke of a very quiet market and an expectation this would continue up to year-end as most people already have the Christmas and New Year period in mind.

Many of the stakeholders also shared their concern about the overall availability of materials in both the short and medium term. Reading in the daily newspapers about, for instance, car manufacturers closing facilities is supporting this overall sentiment. Articles in those same newspapers about events occurring globally are fuelling a feeling of uncertainty. As a result, there has been a noticeable switch to stricter cost control as businesses look to prepare for a potentially less attractive period ahead of us.

In the aluminium market, volumes coming from production, shredders and demolition have been way below expectations, although pricing has remained fair so far. Stainless is experiencing a more troublesome period as consumers link pricing closer to their needs. Local shredders are continuing to operate at lower capacities owing to a lack of input material, with fewer cars and other feed seeming to make their way to the various shredder facilities. Demand for copper is satisfactory at best but is slightly calmer than previously, although this situation could quickly change with a market rally.

As we head towards 2025, an increasing number of concerns, opinions and questions are arising with regard to upcoming changes to EU rules, regulations and notifications relating to transfrontier shipments of specific recyclable resources. As with everything in life, the proof will be in the pudding.