French recyclers’ profits hit by ‘cheaper’ primary sources

France – Businesses in France are abandoning recycled materials in favour of cheaper virgin alternatives – with the result that the French recycling industry’s profits fell by 2% last year, according to EurActiv France. The French recycling industry’s revenues fell to Euro 9 billion for a total of 74 million tonnes of recycled materials.

Prices of primary raw materials started falling in 2014 and the trend has continued in 2015. Jean-Pierre Gaudin, president of French recycling federation Federec, believes this year will be even tougher than 2014. France’s non-ferrous recyclers recorded revenue growth of 6% in 2014, with the tonnage recycled also up 4.5% on the previous year.

Meanwhile, the country’s recycling industry cemented its position as a major employer, increasing its workforce by 1.8% from 2013 to 2014 to boast 1300 companies with a total of 26 500 employees.