Recovered paper prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) and new double-lined kraft cuttings (DLK) increased in May, driven by strong domestic and export demand, coupled with persistent trucking slowdowns.

GCC recycled containerboard prices rose in April as Middle East disruptions lifted costs. On May 5, Fastmarkets’ PIX Testliner GCC and PIX Fluting GCC indices increased, while demand diverged between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has had a pronounced impact on the packaging industry across the GCC region, sending March containerboard prices and demand soaring. With shipping routes disrupted and fuel costs climbing, packaging producers are facing considerable logistical hurdles. As import delays persist, Saudi Arabia has seen a surge in containerboard demand, with orders increasingly redirected to local mills. Meanwhile, UAE fuel prices have jumped by 72%, though Saudi prices have remained stable despite volatility in global oil markets.

Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for PIX Recovered Paper Europe and Germany indices via an open consultation process between February 20 and March 20 2026. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.

Key takeaways: The indices for locally produced brown testliner and fluting showed minor drops in February. Fastmarkets calculated its monthly PIX Testliner GCC index at $462.20 per tonne on March 3, down by $0.18 per tonne (0.04%) from $462.38 on February 3. Fastmarkets calculated its PIX Fluting GCC index at $438.15 per tonne on March […]

Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its PIX Recovered Paper Europe and Germany indices as part of its announced annual methodology review process. This consultation, which is open until March 20 2026, seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in compliance with […]

The latest GCC containerboard market trends show slight price declines and muted demand across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with cashflow pressures, rising production costs, and growing local competition shaping January’s performance.

Fastmarkets has corrected its prices of recovered paper, corrugated grades, old corrugated containers, imports from Japan, cif Southeast Asia, $ per tonne, which were published incorrectly on Friday January 16 owing to a typographical error.

Middle East containerboard prices trended downward in December, with both testliner and fluting indices in the Gulf Cooperation Council region posting slight decreases. Market sentiment was shaped by lower demand, tighter recovered paper supply, and rising transportation costs, as regional producers and buyers looked ahead to anticipated shifts in early 2026.

Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for Latin America Recovered Paper, via an open consultation process between November 12 and December 29, 2025. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.