Glass
Glass
Price movements (monthly)
UK
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
Western Europe
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
US
Month-on-month Change
Year-on-year Change
- The Expana Benchmark Prices (EBP) for Medium Glass Food Jar UK was £560.73/mt, up 0.6% m-o-m in July. The EBP for Medium Glass Food Jar Western Europe was €549.76/mt in July, down 3.1% m-o-m.
- Manufacturing costs diverged between the UK and Western Europe, chiefly due to the relatively more severe drop-off in natural gas prices in Western Europe.
- The Expana Benchmark Prices (EBP) for Medium Glass Food Jar US was $634.96/mt, up 0.3% m-o-m in July 2025.
- The price rise was attributable to increased costs of cullet, sand and soda ash. Although natural gas prices fell throughout the month, electricity prices moved up, adding upward pressure to glass container manufacturing costs.
Glass
Price drivers
UK Glass Waste Prices
Separate collection mixed glass waste was assessed at £79.00/MT in July, up 2.6% m-o-m. Export demand from Europe, particularly Spain, Portugal and Belgium, remains strong, with reprocessors and glass container manufacturers in those countries seeking glass waste to facilitate increased production in the glass markets. Post-container MRF glass waste was assessed down 5.3% m-o-m in July, at £36.00/MT.
Glass re-melt PRN prices increased throughout July and two months of decline, rising 3.8% m-o-m to £83.00/MT. Glass aggregate PRN prices were assessed at £72.00 in July, up 1.4% m-o-m. While most packaging materials have caught up with the obligation based on recent data releases, glass remains undersupplied in the PRN market, particularly glass aggregate. As such, sources anticipate volatile price movements throughout Q3 and Q4 as more fundamental data is released.
US Glass Waste Prices
Mixed color glass waste was $6.58/MT in July, a 0.5% m-o-m increase, representing a 5.3% y-o-y rise. Although demand remains robust, sources are uncertain about future demand prospects given the sluggishness of US glass container manufacturing.
↑ Raw Materials
The price of silica sand rose by 0.5% m-o-m to $55.70/MT in June (latest data), representing a 1.3% y-o-y decline. The price of soda ash increased by 2.5% m-o-m in July to $235.00/MT, representing a 1.1% y-o-y decrease. Demand for virgin raw materials is reportedly robust from glass manufacturers in Europe, where production of glass containers is rising. However, demand within China and the US is sluggish, according to market sources.
↓ Natural Gas
EU gas prices fell by 8.5% m-o-m in July to €33.86/MWh, representing a 4.4% y-o-y increase. Prices in the EU fell markedly throughout July in line with storage build and lower cooling demand following a decline in temperatures across the continent. US natural gas prices decreased by 9.6% m-o-m in July to $3.31/10Therm, representing a 49.8% y-o-y climb. Market drivers in the US were similar to the EU, with weekly stock levels increasing and cooling demand declining.
↓ Logistics
The shipping 40ft container composite fell by 21% m-o-m and 55% y-o-y to $2,651 per unit in July. The bulk of container loading already took place in April–June in anticipation of tariff increases, so demand for transportation declined in July. The peak season turned out to be short and weak, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, which are not prepared to pay higher duties. Despite seasonal growth on routes to Europe and the Mediterranean, excess capacity and logistical restructuring led to a decline in rates from June peaks.
→ Macroeconomic Environment
In the US, inflation accelerated 2.7% on an annualized basis in June, up from 2.4% in May. Energy services, including electricity and piped gas, were the main drivers behind the headline increase, registering a 7.5% y-o-y acceleration.
In the Eurozone, inflation edged up to 2.0% in June, up from 1.9% in May. The result is in line with the European Central Bank (ECB) target.
In China, inflation was 0.1% y-o-y, up from –0.1% in May and ending the 4-month period of deflation. Sources believe that the acceleration was attributable to recent government stimulus policies aimed at boosting domestic demand against the backdrop of declining export demand due to tariff uncertainty.
Glass
Price forecast
Glass
Market sentiment (for the month ahead)
Higher Demand, Falling Energy Costs
According to market sources, demand is increasing along seasonal norms, while supply remains ample. Players especially noted a more positive situation in the EU, where they note the market appears to be recovering, at least in the short term.
↓ Ample Availability
According to market sources, buyers are readily able to secure product, with ample availability noted. Manufacturers reported that there was especially production line availability for wine, beer and spirit bottles. Players, however, reported the recent news of another furnace closure in the US in the final week of July, due to persistent weak demand impacting operations in recent years.
→ Mixed Energy Costs
Cooling demand is falling due to a decrease in temperatures across the US and Europe, resulting in lower natural gas prices. However, electricity prices moved upwards throughout July.
↑ Seasonal Demand Rise
Market participants reported an increase in demand for glass containers and a climb in order levels due to higher summer demand. Although food jar demand has been consistent, orders for containers for alcoholic beverages are reportedly increased due to greater consumer demand for alcohol during the summer months.
→ Tariffs
Foreign trade remains uncertain due to the rapidly evolving tariff situation. However, the recent US-EU trade deal has added some confidence to the market, according to sources. Elsewhere, the major glass container trade route from China to Mexico remains complex, given the 35% tariff and 16% value-added tax (VAT) on China’s glass goods entering Mexico.
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