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Tag Archives: HDPE

Bale pricing bucks seasonal trend, trade alliances shift

Published: May 21, 2025
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Foreign trade partners see risk as well as opportunity amid tariff-related chaos, market sources said. | Alones/Shutterstock

This story has been corrected.

Post-consumer plastics bales are defying typical springtime trends, with average pricing in May reported flat-to-softer on the month as the peak summer season nears. Continue Reading

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PakTech prepares for benefits, challenges under EPR

Published: May 21, 2025
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PakTech uses injection molding equipment and blow-molding-grade material, as well as modular equipment designs, for cost and speed efficiency. | Marissa Heffernan/Resource Recycling

Extended producer responsibility programs, labeling requirements and minimum PCR mandates offer both challenges and opportunities, and company leaders at 100% PCR packaging manufacturer PakTech have been steadily working to position the company for the future. Continue Reading

Clarity on future of FDA LNO program yet to emerge

Published: May 14, 2025
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Resins spilled out of a tube onto a pink background.

Following dramatic staffing cuts and an overall lack of clarity from federal officials, the future of an important program for recycled plastics remains a question mark. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Amid sweeping federal staffing cuts, the future of a government program to assess processes to make food packaging from recycled plastics is unclear, sources told Plastics Recycling Update in recent interviews. 

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Eastman, LyondellBasell provide plant updates

Published: April 30, 2025
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The two chemical majors remain optimistic on demand for recycled polymers, while slowing plans for new U.S. capacity. | Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock

Two U.S.-based chemical companies discussed upcoming recycling projects during recent earnings calls, expressing optimism despite persistent economic uncertainty and potential administrative hurdles.
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LyondellBasell to complete PreZero upgrade in early 2026

Published: April 16, 2025
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In its 2024 sustainability report, the company said it expected to make a final investment decision on a chemical recycling plant in Houston in the first half of 2026. | StanislauV/Shutterstock

Global polymers heavyweight LyondellBasell provided updated timelines for some of its U.S. recycling projects amid progress toward 2030 plastics goals in a recent report.   Continue Reading

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Procurement tactics adapt to new supply realities

Published: April 16, 2025
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Crystal Bayliss of the U.S. Plastics Pact emphasized that procurement involves far more than just haggling prices, a sentiment echoed by an Orbis executive. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling

With PCR requirements increasing rapidly, companies throughout plastics value chains face similar challenges in controlling feedstock supply, scaling up supply and managing capital costs. This sentiment was clear during a Plastics Recycling Conference session as well as a recent industry interview.  Continue Reading

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Analysts detail uncertainty for recycled plastics

Published: April 2, 2025
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Andrea Bassetti, recycled plastics analytics lead at market intelligence firm ICIS, lays out factors driving recycled resin markets at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Photo Credit: Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Analysts from market intelligence firms emphasized the lack of solid footing and stiff competition from virgin resin and imports as key challenges for the plastics recycling market, during sessions at the recent Plastics Recycling Conference.  Continue Reading

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HDPE bale spread widens further despite firming prices

Published: March 24, 2025
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Although color bales rose on the month, the key construction sector continued to struggle and waste import bans in Indonesia and Thailand took effect. | Lipik Stock Media/Shutterstock

March prices for HDPE natural bales rose by 10% on the month to a more than three-year high, further widening the price spread with color bales amid bearish end-use sectors and new waste import bans in Southeast Asia.  Continue Reading

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Price spread between color, natural HDPE at record high

Published: February 26, 2025
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The price spread between the two grades of HDPE bales stood at 85.07 cents per pound for February, according to RecyclingMarkets.net data, the highest level the index has tracked in seven years. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

The price spread between natural and color HDPE reached a record high in February, as natural bales pricing increased while mixed-color bales remained near historic lows.  Continue Reading

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Coffee pods, bulky rigids may lose ‘check locally’ label

Published: February 5, 2025
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Single-use PP beverage pods, such as those used for coffee and tea, may no longer qualify for the “check locally” label, according to the latest data. | Primestock Photography / Shutterstock

The How2Recycle labeling initiative is considering downgrading four types of plastic packaging in response to recent acceptance data, according to its latest guidance for recyclability designations. Continue Reading

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