TL;DR
Paper and resin input costs are elevated heading into Q2 2026. OCC at $188/t and PP at $1,149/t drive upward pressure on corrugated and flexible packaging. Buyers renewing before June face a 6-10% cost headwind.
Paper Inputs: Fibre Remains Tight
OCC is at $188/t — 18% above the same week in 2025. NBSK holds at $1,135/t. The PackIndex CORR finished unit index stands at $0.486/unit (+2.14% MoM).
The Pulp Market Volatility Forecast for Q2 2026: The key variable is German OCC collection tonnage. A recovery to Q3 2025 levels would ease CORR by $0.010-0.012/unit.
Resin Inputs: PP Easing, LDPE Firm
Polypropylene (PP) has pulled back to $1,149/t from its January peak. The Recycled Resin Price Index 2026 shows the PCR PE premium narrowing from 18% to 14% as EU PPWR compliance builds recycled content supply.
Q2 Forecast
| Index | Current | Q2 Forecast | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORR | $0.487 | $0.497-0.395 | HIGH |
| FLEX | $0.371 | $0.357-0.290 | MEDIUM |
| PAPR | $0.526 | $0.529-0.425 | HIGH |
Subscribe to PackIndex for weekly updates on all 60+ indices.
Track this market with PackIndex
Live weekly packaging price indices, grounded market intelligence, and contributor Pulse signals — published by Open Packaging Network.
Live Prices → More Intelligence →