Packaging Price Tracker - 24 April 2026

What are PRNs? Packaging Recovery Notes are compliance certificates that obligated UK packaging producers must purchase to prove their packaging has been recycled. The price reflects recycling market capacity — higher prices typically indicate tighter supply of certified recycling.

Why this matters for packaging buyers: HGV fuel surcharges typically track diesel prices with a 4–6 week lag. Diesel is down slightly this week as global oil prices eased, but at 189.8p/litre remains significantly elevated against the 2025 annual average of 147.2p. The diesel premium over petrol — currently 32.8p — remains more than four times the 2025 average gap of 7.5p, reflecting the outsized impact of the Middle East conflict on diesel supply chains.

About these fees: 2026/27 marks Year 2 of pEPR and the first year of eco-modulation, replacing the flat-rate fees of 2025/26 with a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) system tied to the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). Amber is the base rate shown above. Red-rated packaging (less recyclable) is charged at 1.2× amber; Green-rated packaging receives a discount. These are illustrative figures published by PackUK in December 2025 — confirmed fees will be published in June 2026. Wood sees the biggest increase at +60% vs 2025/26. Plastic remains the highest-cost material at ~£465/t amber.

Plastic PRN prices continued their sustained rise this week, reaching £321.10 per tonne — up almost £10 on last week and more than £20 above the 27 March figure of £299.89. At more than 165% above the same week last year (£121.10), plastic compliance costs are at a level that will be forcing difficult conversations between packaging buyers and their suppliers. The steady upward pressure reflects tightening recycling capacity and growing Q2 compliance demand as obligated producers seek to close their annual PRN positions.

Paper PRNs edged up to £5.42 — modest in absolute terms but notable as part of a consistent upward trend from £4.75 in late March. Glass and Steel PRNs held steady, while Aluminium remained flat at £60.00 for the third consecutive week, down sharply from £97.50 a year ago, reflecting improved aluminium recycling capacity and weaker compliance demand in that material stream. Diesel eased slightly to 189.8p per litre — down 1.43p on last week — though it remains significantly elevated against the 2025 annual average of 147.2p, and the diesel premium over petrol at 32.8p continues to put upward pressure on delivered packaging costs.

In the recovered paper market, Asian export demand has been providing a floor under OCC prices through Q1 2026, while European mill demand remains subdued following the energy cost pressures linked to the Middle East conflict. UK local authority collection volumes — which ran above seasonal norms through Q1 — are beginning to ease, which may soften OCC supply in the coming weeks. Board manufacturers are monitoring input costs closely, with the 6–12 week lag between raw material price movements and finished corrugated box prices now drawing into view for buyers placing orders for early summer.