Glass prices safe amid materials turmoil

The market for recycled glass packaging is showing no signs of faltering, as prices remain stable and demand strong.

Packaging News revealed on Monday how the market for recycled steel had collapsed due to a massive decline for steel products in the construction and automotive industries, which are at a virtual standstill due to the credit crunch.

But David Workman, director general of British Glass, said the "demand for good quality glass collection was as strong as ever".

"I've certainly not had any reports of prices falling, which is an opportunity for us to get recycling rates up so that we use less energy," he said.

The glass manufacturing sector continues to suffer from volatile gas prices, Workman said.

A spokesman for glass manufacturer O-I echoed the view there was a good opportunity to develop quality recycling collections.

"Prices are currently stable and seem set to remain so, which is a real plus for glass," he said.