Paper Tube Prices: Why Energy, Diesel and Material Costs Will Force Changes
The cost of supplying paper tubes and cardboard cores depends on more than the board itself. Energy used in papermaking, recovered fibre, adhesives and transport all contribute to the finished product.
These costs are putting sustained pressure on the supply chain. For Just Paper Tubes, the combined impact means we will be forced to increase our prices.
We want customers to understand the market conditions behind that decision, including how costs have changed since the summer and before the Iran war.
European gas prices are almost three times their pre-war level
European gas prices were already substantially elevated by late August. Since then, they have risen further.
Comparison point | Date | Published TTF gas price |
Before the Iran war | 27 February 2026 | €31.51/MWh |
Late August | 28 August 2026 | €68.80/MWh |
Latest verified daily reading | 2 November 2026 | €94.20/MWh |
This represents an increase of approximately 118% between the pre-war baseline and late August, followed by a further 36.9% increase from late August to November. The latest reading is approximately 199% above the pre-war level.
Source: EnergyRiskIQ’s TTF daily price history, attributed to OilPriceAPI. Argus also confirms the €31.51/MWh pre-war baseline on 27 February.
Why gas costs affect paper tubes and cardboard cores
Paper and board manufacturing requires heat to remove water and dry the sheet. Depending on the mill, steam production can use natural gas, biomass or other energy sources. Cepi and the European Heat Pump Association explain the role of heat in papermaking.
Where mills depend on gas, higher prices can increase the cost of producing the board used in paper tubes and cores.
UK diesel prices have risen since June
Transport is another source of pressure, affecting material movements and finished product deliveries.
Government figures show that UK average diesel pump prices fell through June before rising again:
Week commencing | UK average diesel price |
29 June 2026 | 167.12p per litre |
26 October 2026 | 199.22p per litre |
The latest verified weekly figure is 19.2% higher than at the end of June. Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero weekly road fuel prices.
For a manufacturer distributing paper tubes and cardboard cores, higher diesel prices create additional delivery cost pressure.
Waste paper prices: recovered cardboard has become more expensive
Recycled material also has a market price. Waste paper—usually called recovered paper within the industry—is collected, sorted and processed into new paper and board.
UK domestic indicators show increases in recovered corrugated cardboard, known as OCC, between June and October:
Recovered paper grade | June 2026 | October 2026 |
OCC 1.04 | £65–£80 per tonne | £84–£98 per tonne |
OCC 1.05 | £85–£102 per tonne | £95–£115 per tonne |
Mixed papers | £40–£60 per tonne | £40–£60 per tonne |
Using the midpoint of each range, OCC 1.04 increased by approximately 25.5%, while OCC 1.05 increased by 12.3%. Mixed paper remained unchange.
The picture varies by grade, but these increases show how recycled fibre can add pressure upstream.
The wider manufacturing report supports the cost picture
The October 2026 S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI shows improving overall manufacturing conditions, alongside continued cost pressure.
Paper, cardboard, adhesives, electricity, gas and transport all appear among items reported as rising in price. The survey does not measure paper tube prices specifically, but it highlights several costs relevant to their production and delivery.
For customers buying label cores, industrial cores, flexible film cores or cardboard tubes, these pressures can accumulate across the supply chain.
What this means for Just Paper Tubes customers
The combined pressure of energy, materials and transport means Just Paper Tubes will be forced to increase prices.
We recognise that our customers face their own cost challenges. Our focus remains on supplying tubes and cores that meet your specifications and support your production requirements.
The market percentages above provide context. They are not the percentage increases that will apply to individual products.
To discuss upcoming orders, please share your required dimensions, quantities, application and delivery dates. This helps us plan materials, manufacturing and deliveries around your needs.
Discuss your paper tube and core requirements
Based in Yorkshire, Just Paper Tubes manufactures cardboard tubes and paper cores for industrial applications. We hold master tube and core stocks, operate around the clock and run our own transport fleet. Explore our products and capabilities.
Contact Just Paper Tubes for a current quotation or to discuss your future requirements.
Market information checked on 3 November 2026. Latest verified observations used: gas, 2 November; diesel, week commencing 26 October; recovered paper, October. No specific product price increase or effective date is announced in this article.
