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
The latest addition to the company’s Revoloop brand offers performance similar to virgin resin. | Richard Frazier/Shutterstock
Global PE heavyweight Dow recently introduced a line of resins containing 30-100% PCR for use in cable jacketing applications.
Professors and students developed a process to turn both PE and PP into propylene monomer. | Afanasiev-Andrii/Shutterstock
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a chemical process to vaporize PE and PP into the feedstock monomer propylene.
The maker of composite decking and other architectural elements used less recycled material but expanded its recycled PVC collection program. | Courtesy of Azek
Chicago-based composite decking company Azek used about 16% less recycled material in fiscal 2023 than in the previous year, according to its latest sustainability report.
ADS bought a third of the total color HDPE bales in North America in fiscal 2024, and recycled plastics accounted for 50% of the company’s resin purchases in that time period. | Photo courtesy of ADS
Advanced Drainage Systems has reported flat consumption of recycled plastics over the past few years, but in fiscal 2024 the company increased the share of recycled materials to 50% of its total resin purchases, according to its most recent ESG report.
Grizzly Wood is made of 100% plastic waste, which limits color options but holds up well to the state’s harsh climate. | Courtesy of Alaska Plastic Recovery
A small company in Alaska is lending the state’s resourcefulness and ingenuity to creating composite lumber and addressing coastal plastics pollution. Continue Reading
Houston-based film recycler Circulus is set to be acquired by Dow. | Courtesy of Circulus
Dow plans to acquire mechanical recycler Circulus for an undisclosed amount, bringing a total capacity of about 55,000 short tons per year of processing volume under Dow’s umbrella. Continue Reading
ADS purchases over 1.1 billion pounds of resin annually from 525 suppliers, half of it recycled, making it the largest plastic recycling company in the U.S. | Courtesy of Advanced Drainage Systems
Advanced Drainage Systems, currently the largest plastics recycling company in the U.S., saw lower sales over the past year due to lower demand in the construction and agricultural markets in mid-2023. But the company still reported record profit, largely due to lower feedstock prices. Continue Reading
Heartland developed hemp-based materials that can be used as additives in plastic compounds. | StanislauV/Shutterstock
A Detroit-based startup that uses natural fiber as plastic additives has secured an investment from a German business incubator. Continue Reading
Emily Friedman of ICIS described several trends driving recycled resin markets in the U.S., during the 2024 Plastics Recycling Conference in Grapevine, Texas. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update
A long runup in recycled natural HDPE prices came to an end last summer, when prices plummeted to levels not seen since 2019. A market analyst with ICIS recently explained how this has become a trend in the plastics recycling market – and how the cycle is beginning again. Continue Reading