rLDPE Price Trend Q2 2026 | Price Trends, Forecast, Chart, Prices and Index

The rLDPE Price Trend in Q2 2026 has been strongly positive, with recycled low-density polyethylene markets seeing significant price increases in both India and Germany. The biggest movement was recorded in India, where natural recycled LDPE granules on an Ex-Mumbai basis increased by around 36% during the quarter.

Germany also experienced a healthy rise, with translucent recycled LDPE pellets on an FD Hamburg basis increasing by about 16%. Tight recycled feedstock availability, steady demand from packaging and agricultural film converters, and higher costs for virgin LDPE have all played an important role in supporting the market.

Recycled plastics markets can sometimes behave differently from virgin polymer markets. While virgin LDPE prices started showing a sharper correction toward the end of the quarter, recycled LDPE remained comparatively firm. 

This was mainly because recyclers continued to face challenges in collecting and securing suitable film scrap. At the same time, buyers continued to need recycled material for applications where recycled content is increasingly important.

Understanding the rLDPE Price Trend in Q2 2026

The second quarter of 2026 was an important period for the recycled LDPE market. The overall direction was upward, but the reasons behind the movement were slightly different between India and Germany.

In simple terms, the market was affected by two major forces: limited supply of suitable recycled feedstock and steady demand for recycled material.

Film scrap is one of the important raw materials used to produce recycled LDPE. When collection becomes difficult, recyclers have less material available to process. This can quickly put upward pressure on recycled polymer prices.

During Q2 2026, film scrap collection became tighter in both markets. Seasonal collection problems and logistical difficulties affected the availability of material. As a result, recyclers had to compete more actively for available scrap.

At the same time, demand did not weaken significantly. Packaging applications continued to require recycled material, while agricultural film converters also maintained demand. This combination of restricted supply and relatively stable demand created a strong foundation for the rise in rLDPE Prices.

India rLDPE Prices Show a Historic Increase

India recorded the strongest movement during Q2 2026. Natural recycled LDPE granules on an Ex-Mumbai basis increased by approximately 36% over the quarter.

This was a major increase compared with normal short-term price movements in recycled polymers. One of the main reasons was the tightening availability of film scrap.

Collection activity can change considerably depending on the season, transportation conditions and local logistics. During the quarter, these factors made it more difficult for recyclers to secure enough suitable film waste. With less feedstock available, recycled material became more expensive to produce.

Another important factor was the movement in virgin LDPE costs. Higher crude oil and ethylene costs, linked in part to disruption associated with the Strait of Hormuz closure, increased the replacement cost of virgin LDPE.

This gave recycled LDPE additional support. When virgin material becomes more expensive, recycled alternatives can become relatively more attractive to converters, especially when recycled content is already part of their production requirements.

The result was a strong upward movement in the Indian rLDPE Price Trend during the quarter.

Germany Market Also Moves Higher

Germany experienced a more moderate but still significant increase. Translucent recycled LDPE pellets on an FD Hamburg basis increased by around 16% during Q2 2026.

The German market benefited from steady demand related to recycled-content requirements in Europe. Packaging converters continued to look for recycled material, which helped maintain buying interest even when supply conditions were difficult.

The availability of film scrap was another important issue. Tight collection meant that recyclers had limited access to suitable feedstock. This restricted production flexibility and helped keep offers firm.

Higher virgin LDPE replacement costs also provided additional support to recycled material. Although virgin LDPE started moving lower toward the end of the quarter, recycled LDPE prices did not follow the same sharp downward path.

This difference is important when looking at the rLDPE Price Chart. Recycled polymer prices are influenced not only by virgin polymer prices but also by collection costs, sorting, processing, scrap availability and demand for recycled content.

Why Recycled LDPE Did Not Fall as Sharply as Virgin LDPE

One of the most interesting developments in Q2 2026 was the difference between recycled and virgin LDPE prices.

Virgin LDPE in Europe experienced a very sharp correction, including a historic single-month decline of around 24%. However, the recycled LDPE market showed only a modest correction through June.

There is a simple reason for this difference.

Virgin LDPE pricing is closely connected to factors such as crude oil, ethylene costs, production economics and global supply. Recycled LDPE has these influences as well, but it also depends heavily on the availability of waste material.

If scrap collection remains tight, recycled polymer producers cannot simply increase production because prices are falling in the virgin market. They still need to find, collect, sort and process enough suitable waste.

This helped protect the rLDPE Price Index from the larger decline seen in the virgin market.

June 2026 Price Movement

June brought some relief to buyers, but the correction was limited.

In India, recycled LDPE prices declined by approximately 2% during June. This was a relatively small decrease considering the large increase recorded earlier in the quarter.

The main reason was that scrap collection improved only slightly. Demand from packaging and agricultural film applications also remained resilient. Because supply conditions were still relatively tight, the market did not experience a major downward movement.

Germany saw a somewhat larger but still moderate correction of around 4% in June.

Again, this was much milder than the correction seen in virgin LDPE. EU recycled-content requirements continued to support demand, while limited film scrap availability kept pressure on recyclers.

These June movements show that the market had started to stabilize rather than completely reverse its Q2 gains.

What the rLDPE Price Chart Tells Us

Looking at the rLDPE Price Chart for Q2 2026, the overall picture is clearly upward.

India stands out because of its approximately 36% quarterly increase. Germany followed with a more moderate 16% gain.

The chart also shows that the June correction did not erase the earlier increases. A small decline after a strong rally is normal, particularly when market participants begin adjusting to higher price levels.

For buyers, the chart is useful because it shows that recycled LDPE prices were not moving in exactly the same way as virgin LDPE. For sellers and recyclers, it highlights the importance of feedstock availability.

In other words, looking only at crude oil or virgin polymer prices may not give a complete picture of the recycled LDPE market.

rLDPE Price Index and Market Direction

The rLDPE Price Index remained comparatively strong through Q2 2026. While prices corrected slightly in June, the decline was limited in both tracked markets.

The index reflects a market where supply remains relatively constrained and demand continues to provide support.

India showed the strongest upward movement, while Germany recorded a more controlled increase. Despite their differences, both markets shared several common factors: tight film scrap collection, steady demand and higher virgin LDPE replacement costs.

This combination helped recycled LDPE maintain its value even when the broader polymer market began to weaken.

rLDPE Price Forecast: What Could Happen Next?

Looking ahead, the rLDPE Price Forecast will depend heavily on what happens to scrap collection and converter demand.

If film scrap availability improves significantly, some of the supply pressure could ease. That could give buyers more negotiating power and potentially bring prices down from the elevated Q2 levels.

However, if collection remains difficult, recycled LDPE prices may continue to stay firm.

Demand will also be important. Packaging and agricultural film converters have remained relatively resilient, and continued demand for recycled content could provide a floor under prices.

The relationship between virgin and recycled LDPE prices will also remain worth watching. If virgin LDPE prices continue to decline sharply, recycled material could face some competitive pressure. On the other hand, limited recycled feedstock could prevent recycled prices from falling as quickly.

Therefore, the next phase of the market may be less about another major price increase and more about finding a balance between supply, demand and feedstock costs.

Key Factors to Watch in the rLDPE Market

Several factors should be monitored when evaluating future rLDPE Prices:

• Film scrap availability: Better collection could reduce supply pressure, while continued shortages could keep prices firm.

• Packaging demand: Strong packaging consumption can support recycled LDPE demand.

• Agricultural film demand: Seasonal buying from agricultural applications can influence market conditions.

• Virgin LDPE prices: Changes in crude oil, ethylene and virgin polymer costs can affect the competitiveness of recycled material.

• Recycled-content requirements: Regulations and buyer commitments can continue to support demand for recycled polymers.

• Logistics: Transportation and collection challenges can affect the availability and cost of recycled feedstock.

• Recycling economics: Sorting, cleaning and processing costs remain important parts of the final recycled polymer price.

India vs Germany: A Simple Comparison

The Q2 2026 market can be summarized quite simply.

India experienced the stronger price increase, with natural recycled LDPE granules rising about 36%. The major pressure came from tight film scrap collection, logistical issues and resilient demand.

Germany recorded a 16% increase in translucent recycled LDPE pellets. Its market received additional support from recycled-content requirements, while limited scrap availability restricted supply.

Both markets then saw moderate corrections in June. India declined around 2%, while Germany declined around 4%.

Even after these corrections, the overall Q2 direction remained strongly positive.