The Alliance to End Plastic Waste argues that consistent specifications for quality material will help drive investment in sorting and collection technology. | Fabrika Simf/Shutterstock
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. Continue Reading
Canada remains the top destination for U.S. exports of plastic bales, taking in 10% more of them this year than it did in 2022. | StockStudio/Shutterstock
Exports of recovered plastics fell during the first six months of 2023, newly released federal trade statistics show. Continue Reading
Several significant players in the plastics industry have made recent additive-related announcements. | Kirkam/Shutterstock
ExxonMobil, Polyvel and Techmer have all made recent investments in additive technology, including new HDPE grades, additives and acquisitions. Continue Reading
Many responses from environmental groups focused on the need for the U.S. EPA’s National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution to rein in the generation of new plastics. | Rich Carey/Shutterstock
The U.S. EPA asked for input on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, and recycling industry stakeholders have answered. Continue Reading
Leaders at Polyfit hope to take advantage of a changing legislative landscape that is creating demand for film that contains PCR. | Courtesy of Polyfit
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.
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Republic Services’ materials recovery facility in North Las Vegas will send bales of scrap plastics to Republic’s new nearby Polymer Center, which will recycle PET and sort and ship PE and PP to Blue Polymers. | Courtesy of Republic Services
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. Continue Reading
A rendering of one of four Blue Polymers plants that will be built in various regions of the U.S. | Courtesy of Republic Services
Republic Services is moving deeper into plastics processing, launching a $350 million joint venture with a global polymers expert to produce recycled pellet at four U.S. facilities. Continue Reading
Eastman’s upcoming Kingsport, Tenn. plant was initially estimated to cost $250 million over two years, but recent financial filings suggest the price tag has crept upward. | William Griffith/Shutterstock
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. Continue Reading
LyondellBasell aims to produce and sell 2 million metric tons annually of Circulen, its brand of recycled-content plastics, by 2023. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Polyolefins producing giant LyondellBasell has purchased a 50% stake in a Dutch plastics reclaimer that specializes in producing HDPE and PP flakes. Continue Reading
Marine pollution was a focus of a number of industry and environmental groups offering thoughts on the U.S. EPA’s plastics strategy. | Mario De Moya F/Shutterstock
Ahead of a July 31 deadline, the EPA has received nearly 100 comments on its draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, many of them calling for federal-level programs. Continue Reading