Markets for secondary raw materials: volumes, quality, prices, and likely global suppliers to the EU under given market conditions

The opportunity presented is a pre-information notice for a future planned call for tenders from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (DG JRC). The focus of this procurement contract is to analyze secondary raw materials markets, primarily concerning plastic recyclates, aluminum scrap, steel scrap, copper scrap, paper and cardboard waste, and textile fibers. The objective is to enhance understanding of these markets by evaluating their volumes, quality, pricing, and identifying potential global suppliers under specified market conditions.

Eligible applicants are defined as economic operators, which includes businesses of various sizes as well as research institutions. Although no consortium requirement is explicitly stated, the terms suggest that both individual entities and consortia can participate. Geographic eligibility is likely restricted to EU-based operators, given the nature of the funding.

The project is characterized as a research and development consultancy service, broadly categorized under CPV code 73200000. As this is a procurement process rather than a grant, the support provided will be financial compensation for services rendered, structured around defined tasks that include defining the scope of the study, market analysis, supply description, and providing a market outlook.

The estimated funding amount has not been disclosed, implying it may fall under middle or low-value contract ranges. The maximum duration for the contract is set at 13 months, with an expected completion for the tender process. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, with the submission deadline on 1 September 2025. An indicative date for launching the negotiation procedure is noted for 26 September 2025.

The opportunity is aligned with EU policies on sustainability and resource efficiency, aiming to provide quantitative data that will support the internal models used by the Joint Research Centre. Overall, it represents a key chance for entities to engage in significant research affecting the EU’s approach to secondary material markets, as well as contribute to the overarching goals of the circular economy and environmental management.

This is a pre-information notice for a planned call for tenders, not an actual call for tenders. The contracting authority intends to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure.

The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/SVQ/2025/MVP/4057-EXA.

The title of the planned call for tenders is "Markets for secondary raw materials: volumes, quality, prices, and likely global suppliers to the EU under given market conditions".

The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre.

The main classification (CPV) code is 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services.

The nature of the contract is for services.

The maximum contract duration is 13 months. There is no framework agreement.

The primary objective of this contract is to improve the current knowledge and understanding of secondary material markets, focusing on plastic recyclates, aluminum scrap, steel scrap, copper scrap, paper and cardboard waste, and textile fibres. The expected outcomes are: I) Improved understanding of secondary material markets and II) Quantitative data and information to feed in-house JRC models.

The tasks involve:
I) Defining the scope of the study, including relevant statistical codes for each material.
II) Analysing the current international market situation, including trade volumes, prices, and barriers.
III) Describing the current supply situation, including production capabilities and costs for major supplying countries.
IV) Identifying key drivers of future supply availability and costs and providing a market outlook for each material.

Economic operators are invited to participate in the request for information at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/bd5cba05-1af2-8865-7ff4-93053bf9b793

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified.

Milestones:
Start date for expression of interest: 2025-08-01 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for expression of interest: 02/09/2025 05:59 Europe/Madrid
Indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure: 2025-09-26 Europe/Madrid

The method of expression of interest is electronic. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given below. The address for expression of interest is "Express interest".

A question and answer section is available.

A frequently asked question is: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 17:32.

In summary, this is a pre-information notice regarding a future tender opportunity from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. The project aims to enhance understanding of secondary material markets, including plastic, aluminum, steel, copper, paper, cardboard, and textile fibres. The study will analyze market dynamics, supply chains, and future trends to provide data for JRC's internal models. The actual call for tenders is planned for the future, but interested parties can express their interest and participate in a request for information. The project involves research and development consultancy services with a maximum duration of 13 months. The expression of interest can be submitted electronically.

Eligible Applicant Types: Economic operators are invited to participate in the request for information. This suggests that the eligible applicant types are businesses or organizations with the capacity to fulfill the contract requirements, which could include SMEs, large enterprises, research institutions, or consultancies.

Funding Type: This is a planned call for tenders, specifically a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract," indicating a procurement. The nature of the contract is for services.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. It is open to "economic operators," which could include both single entities and consortia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but given that it is an EU funding opportunity from the European Commission, it is likely open to entities within the EU and possibly EEA countries. The description mentions "international market situation" and "major supplying countries," suggesting that the scope of the study is global, but the eligible applicants are likely to be based in the EU or associated countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is focused on secondary raw materials markets. Specifically, the study focuses on plastic recyclates, aluminum scrap, steel scrap, copper scrap, paper and cardboard waste, and textile fibres. The opportunity falls under the broader categories of environment, circular economy, and potentially industrial processes. The CPV code 73200000 indicates "Research and development consultancy services."

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity refers to the "international market situation" and "major supplying countries" of secondary raw materials. The contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre, implying a focus on the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on research and development consultancy services. The tasks involve analyzing the current market situation, describing the supply situation, identifying key drivers, and providing a market outlook. This suggests a project stage of research, analysis, and market assessment.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract." This suggests the funding amount is likely in the range of under €200k, but without specific figures, it is difficult to provide a precise estimate.

Application Type: The application type is a "planned negotiated procedure," which means that after the expression of interest, selected applicants will be invited to negotiate the terms of the contract. The method of expression of interest is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. The nature of the contract is for services, specifically research and development consultancy services.

Application Stages: There are multiple stages. First, there is an expression of interest. Then, there is a planned negotiated procedure, suggesting at least two stages.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned. As this is a negotiated procedure, the success rate after the expression of interest will depend on the number of applicants invited to negotiate and the outcome of those negotiations.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This opportunity is a planned call for tenders from the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre, focusing on improving the understanding of secondary material markets. The project aims to analyze the international market situation for plastic recyclates, aluminum scrap, steel scrap, copper scrap, paper and cardboard waste, and textile fibres. The selected economic operator will need to define the scope of the study, analyze the current market, describe the supply situation, identify key drivers, and provide a market outlook. This is a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract," meaning that after an initial expression of interest, selected applicants will be invited to negotiate the contract terms. The expression of interest must be submitted electronically. The start date for expression of interest is 2025-08-01, and the deadline is 2025-09-02. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-09-26. The maximum contract duration is 13 months. This is not a grant but a procurement of services.