A story about low prices for recycled resins commanded readers’ attention last month. | Golden Dayz/Shutterstock
Readers were drawn to stories about Eastman’s PET recycling plans, tough plastics recycling markets, the new Blue Polymers joint venture and more last month.
The list below shows our top stories published in August in terms of unique page views.
1 | Eastman provides updates on massive PET recycling plant
The CEO of Eastman Chemicals said today’s low PET prices are slowing negotiations over contracts to sell chemically recycled PET to brand owners, but he remains confident that recycled-content mandates and Eastman’s technological advantage will push the deals over the finish line.
2 | How ‘rock bottom’ pricing is jostling plastics recycling
Recycled plastics prices are at their lowest levels in some time, putting significant strain on material processors. Meanwhile, some resin buyers are abandoning PCR to purchase virgin plastic instead.
3 | Republic outlines profit expectations for Blue Polymers
Republic Services expects to invest about $160 million over the next five or six years into building four polyolefins recycling facilities around the country. When completed, the plants could bring the company up to $32 million in annual earnings.
4 | Polyolefins reclaimer invests millions in PCR capacity
Plastics reclaimer Polyfit invested up to $7 million expanding its campus in northern Mexico, boosting its polyethylene recycling capacity at a time of rising demand in the U.S.
5 | Industry group calls for PCR quality standards
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste suggested the recycling industry in the European Union develop target specifications for processed materials to ease the transition to a circular economy.