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Author Archives: Antoinette Smith

About Antoinette Smith

Antoinette Smith started working for Resource Recycling in June 2024 after spending several years covering commodity plastics and supply chains, with a special focus on economic impacts. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen for $6.7B

Published: December 11, 2024
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With the acquisition, Pactiv Evergreen will become privately held, and the combined company will have operations throughout North America. | Retan/Shutterstock

In the latest industry consolidation news, packaging producer Novolex will acquire Pactiv Evergreen for $6.7 billion, with the deal expected to close in mid-2025. Continue Reading

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Industry views are mixed as tariff threat looms

Published: December 11, 2024
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PET bales stacked for recycling.

Effects from proposed tariffs against Mexico and Canada could include market consolidation favoring larger firms that can absorb added costs. | Menzl_Guenter/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series taking a closer look at the potential effects of threatened tariffs on recycled commodity markets. Read the previous installment here, on what trade flows are most likely to be affected. Continue Reading

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Import, export trends highlight risks of tariffs

Published: December 4, 2024
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If threatened tariffs against Mexico and Canada are implemented, trade volumes of U.S. plastic scrap could be impacted. | HuguetteRoe/Shutterstock

Although the potential effects – or even the likelihood – of threatened U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada are yet unknown, they’ve focused attention on the trade dynamics among the North American neighbors, including in post-consumer plastics.

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Eastman execs remain optimistic on DOE grant

Published: November 27, 2024
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During a Nov. 21 investor event, company executives discussed the $375 million grant for the new Texas recycling plant and gave updates on the France plant and expansion in end markets. | Photo Courtesy of Eastman

Executives from Tennessee-based Eastman signaled uncertainty with the future of a federal grant supporting construction of their second chemical recycling plant, and apprehension about a potential trade war with China, during the company’s Circular Economy Deep Dive investor meeting.

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ExxonMobil, Cyclyx increasing Texas recycling capacity

Published: November 27, 2024
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ExxonMobil company sign outside a company facility in Texas.

The addition of 350 million pounds of annual processing capacity comes as feedstock-preparation company Cyclyx, a joint venture involving ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell, announces FID on a second U.S. plant in Texas. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

Energy giant ExxonMobil is expanding its U.S. chemical recycling footprint, with 350 million additional pounds of capacity expected to start up in Texas in 2026.

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Consumer behavior shift helps drive new HDPE option

Published: November 27, 2024
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Plastic pellets.

The long-term outlook for used milk jugs contributed to KW Plastics’ move to add white recycled HDPE resin to its offerings. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Recycled resin producer KW Plastics is rolling out white HDPE pellets this month, an idea that isn’t new but is gaining traction due to changes in consumer behavior and increasing demand for PCR. Continue Reading

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Haulers report record Q3 earnings

Published: November 20, 2024
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Plastics processing in Republic's Las Vegas recycling facility.

Strong third-quarter commodity prices bolstered earnings for the nation’s top five haulers. | Courtesy of Republic Services

North America’s five largest publicly traded garbage and recycling companies recently reported quarterly financial results, reaching record revenues and margins.

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Plastics industry mulls election results

Published: November 7, 2024
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The Trump presidency promises decreased regulation and likely less funding for environmental initiatives. | LLoughran-Shutterstock

Following Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election, the plastics and chemicals industries are processing what may lie ahead in an environment that is likely to have drastic reductions in regulation and an emphasis on fossil fuels.

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Haulers grow bearish on commodity prices

Published: November 20, 2024
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Although third-quarter revenues reached record levels for some of the nation’s top five publicly traded haulers, plummeting fiber pricing in October was an indicator for commodity values heading into 2025. | Huguette Roe/Shutterstock

Although third-quarter commodity prices contributed to record quarterly revenues and margins for North America’s largest garbage and recycling companies, their outlook has changed moving into the final stretch of the year. Continue Reading

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Amcor to acquire Berry Global in $8.4bn all-stock deal

Published: November 19, 2024
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Amcor company logo on building exterior.

The combination of the two packaging giants aims to strengthen positioning in high-growth, high-value categories. | 360b/Shutterstock

Switzerland-headquartered packaging giant Amcor will acquire Indiana-based Berry Global in an $8.4 billion all-stock deal that’s expected to close in mid-2025, the companies announced Nov. 19, marking a continuing trend of consolidation in the packaging industry.

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