EFS-plastics described how virgin resin pricing and other factors are impacting the recycling sector. | Ann Moore / Shutterstock
The mixed-plastics processing sector is seeing supply challenges from product labeling changes and could be significantly disrupted by chemical recycling initiatives, according to one processor.
Prices for curbside plastic bales shot up over the past month, with PET bottles jumping by nearly one-third and natural HDPE notching another record.
The U.S. exported 102.3 million pounds of recovered plastic in February, with Malaysia as the top overseas destination. | MAGNIFIER/Shutterstock
U.S. exports of recovered plastic remained consistent in February, despite global trade policy changes that went into effect at the beginning of the year.
Speakers in a session last week came from two often-opposing sides of the packaging and recycling debate: Craig Cookson of ACC and Kate Bailey from Eco-Cycle. | Screenshot from the 2021 Plastics Recycling Conference.
Last week’s Plastics Recycling Conference, held online, featured eight sessions over two days. Here are some of the talking points that caught our team’s attention.
Prices for baled curbside plastics are up across the board this month, with natural HDPE notching another record high.
Bales of curbside plastics have experienced notable price increases this month, with natural HDPE again hitting a record high.
Trex, which recycles PE film and wood fibers into composite lumber, reported 2020 sales were up 18% over the prior year. | H_Ko/Shutterstock
COVID-19 failed to dent profitability at Trex, which recycles scrap film into composite lumber. In fact, the opposite happened: Sales and profits both jumped sharply last year.
The past month has been marked by value boosts for recovered PET, HDPE and PP materials.
An industry analyst recently gave insight on how the virgin plastic market is impacting recycled plastic markets. | Joyce Blessthink/Shutterstock
Recycled plastic sellers are facing cost pressures from cheap virgin material, and an expert says reclamation costs will not come down to close that pricing gap.
Recycled-plastic consumer Unifi’s profitability increased substantially during the fourth quarter. | Elle Aon/Shutterstock
Two large manufacturers of recycled-plastic products – Unifi and Greystone Logistics – stayed on track late last year despite COVID-19 complications, financial filings show.