OCC price increases evoke divergent effects across value chain

July 22, 2026 | Katie Pyzyk and Megan QuinnClick here

This article was originally published by Packaging Dive. Click here to view it on the website.

Following a sluggish 2025, OCC prices have climbed through 2026. While recyclers are riding the wave of higher prices, containerboard producers aren’t so excited.

The old corrugated containers market in 2026 is one of paradoxes: Rising OCC prices spell better margins for recyclers, but they put pressure on packaging companies that consume the material. While OCC prices are up, they’re still below historical norms. And OCC is poised for medium-term growth, but the market has to get over some short-term hurdles first.

OCC prices have increased incrementally every month in 2026, driven by the spot market, said Ceri Krening, director of recovered paper at pulp market intelligence and price index firm TTOBMA. This movement has outpaced the firm’s expectations.

This article was originally published on Packaging Dive. Click here to read the full article.