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1. Governmental and Lobbying
Court again strikes down Trump tariffs in case brought by pipe maker, other firms
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/federal-court-rules-trump-liberation-day-tariffs-unconstitutional-genova-pipe-among-plaintiffs
A federal appeals court has delivered a second major legal blow to the Trump Administration’s controversial “Liberation Day” tariffs, ruling in favor of small businesses — including a plastic pipe manufacturer — that argued the tariffs were unconstitutional.
In a 7-4 decision issued Aug. 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld an earlier ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade. The appellate court found that the administrationÂ’s sweeping tariffs exceeded presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The legal challenge was led by the Liberty Justice Center, a conservative public interest law firm, which represents Genova Pipe — a Salt Lake City-based maker of ABS and chlorinated PVC pipe and fittings — and four other small businesses. The court agreed with the plaintiffs’ position that the IEEPA does not give the president unchecked power to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
Trump steel tariff expansion hits plastic molds, divides industry
President Donald Trump’s administration has added imported injection, blow, and compression molds into its 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, a move experts said could benefit the U.S. mold-making industry but raise costs for other manufacturers.
The molds were among 407 «derivative» steel and aluminum products that the administration announced Aug. 19 would now be included within broad Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, a step Trump aides said would bolster the U.S. metals industries.
A trade group for U.S. mold makers praised the decision as helping beleaguered tool shops but companies that buy or use molds, including some large plastic packaging and home appliance makers, objected, saying it could make them less competitive.
Ambitious treaty may be best path to plastics transition
The failure of the plastics treaty talks in Geneva this month — what was supposed to be the final round — has been well covered.
Countries could not bridge the gap between two competing visions: a narrow framework focused on recycling and waste management, or a broader one that addresses «sustainable» levels of resin production and sets global standards for chemical toxicity. The plastics industry has generally supported the narrower vision.
But as I watched the negotiations in Geneva, and after returning home, I found myself wondering whether the broader framework may ultimately be what’s needed to speed the transition.
I’m not claiming to have the single «answer» to such a complex problem, and I’m not speaking on behalf of Plastics News. But the contrast I saw between plastics and another sector wrestling with fossil fuel dependence — automobiles — stuck with me.
A global plastics treaty worth pursuing, but not at any cost
The global plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva ended Aug. 15 without a deal. That’s disappointing but not surprising — and it’s not a reason to give up.
After nearly three years of talks and six rounds of negotiations, countries couldn’t agree on key issues like limiting plastic production, regulating toxic chemicals and deciding how to finance the agreement. Those are tough topics. The debate was intense, and the final session went all night, well past the Aug. 14 deadline.
The collapse of the Geneva talks shows that while the U.S. and many allies support a strong global plastics treaty, rigid demands on production limits and chemical restrictions may never gain universal agreement — and it’s time to consider the path forward.
A coalition of more than 100 countries, known as the High Ambition Coalition, pushed for a strong treaty that tackles the «unsustainable consumption and production of plastics.» They want rules on product design, extended producer responsibility and global limits on harmful chemicals.
2. Features and News Articles
Polymer Points Live August 2025: August resin pricing trends, tariff impacts and market outlook
Resin pricing, capacity overhangs and tariff-driven market shifts topped the agenda in the August edition of Polymer Points Live, hosted by Plastics News Senior Reporter Frank Esposito and Editor Don Loepp.
During the webinar — available for viewing at the bottom of this page — Esposito provided analysis of July and August commodity resin price trends, including back-to-back increases for polystyrene and a new 1-cent-per-pound drop in PVC pricing for August. He also noted a possible decline in polypropylene prices, while polyethylene and PET were expected to remain flat.
PS resin prices continue a summer surge
A hot summer for North American polystyrene resin prices has continued in August where prices increased for the third consecutive month.
Prices for the material are up an average of 2 cents per pound since Aug. 1. The increase again surprised some market watchers, even after similar 2-cent hikes in June and July.
Market sources said the August increase was driven by feedstock costs, as PS demand has remained relatively flat. Prices for benzene, used to make styrene monomer, surged 17 cents to $2.89 per gallon in August.
Additives makers offer up improved performance at K
Additives designed to improve the performance of plastic materials will be on full display at K 2025.
Clariant, Hall 8A/J11, of Muttenz, Switzerland, will spotlight advances in stabilizers. Officials said these moves combine expanded production capacity in China with innovative applications in artificial turf applications and medical sectors.
Clariant’s joint venture with Beijing Tiangang Auxiliary Co. Ltd. has finished chemical commissioning of a second production line in Cangzhou, China. Officials said the new line will primarily make Nylostab S-EED, a multifunctional stabilizer.
The upstream Chinese nylon industry’s rapid expansion has been a key driver behind the increased demand for high-end additives such as Nylostab S-EED, they added. The new production capacity will enable Clariant to better serve customers in the textile and engineering plastics industries throughout China and the broader Asian market.
Lego expands US footprint, adds bio-based materials
Lego A/S is expanding its North American operations with a new regional headquarters in Boston and ongoing construction of a $1.5 billion manufacturing and distribution hub in Virginia.
The Billund, Denmark-based plastic toy maker provided updates on its U.S. investments and sustainability efforts Aug. 27, alongside its first-half financial results.
The Boston office, which opened earlier this year, serves as Lego’s Americas regional headquarters and houses 800 employees. The Virginia project includes both an injection molding factory and a 1.99 million-square-foot regional distribution center, expected to open in 2027.
Mergers & Acquisition Tracker
Updated list of merger and acquisition deals within the plastics industry. Details include the buyer and the company or assets being purchased, along with a link to read more about each transaction.
3. Recycling and Sustainability
New research shows promise of recycled plastic use in pavement
New research for the state of Minnesota regarding the use of recycled plastic in both asphalt and concrete road construction shows promise for that approach.
«The increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions has increased interest in using recycled plastics in road construction,» a new report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation states.
«The integration of recycled materials into construction not only addresses material shortages but also aligns with broader sustainability goals. By diverting waste from landfills and reducing reliance on virgin materials, these practices contribute to a circular economy where materials are continuously reused and recycled,» the report, «Use of Plastics in Road Materials (Paving)» states.
Plastics Recyclers Europe says European recycling industry facing ‘imminent collapse’
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/plastics-recyclers-europe-says-european-recycling-industry-facing-imminent-collapse
Closures of plastics recycling plants are accelerating in Europe.
Between January and July 2025, Europe lost almost the same amount of capacity as in all of 2024, Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) said in a statement.
And the capacity lost so far this year is three times the amount lost in 2023.
PRE forecasts indicate zero net growth in new recycling capacity in 2025 after years of rapid expansion. Growth has been slowing since 2021. Installed plastic recycling capacity grew 6 percent year-over-year in 2023. The previous year the growth rate stood at 10 percent, down from 17 percent in 2021. This decline is a serious threat to Europe’s capacity to meet recycling content targets, PRE says.
«The European plastic recycling industry is facing imminent collapse,» PRE said in a statement.
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
July/August 2025 issue:
The road ahead for automotive circularity
Policy and politicians are showing the influence they exert over how the automotive plastics recycling sector developsÂ…
Chemical recyclers try to avoid obstacles
Despite pressures from outside the industry, the nascent chemical recycling sector has had success in the past year.Â
As the pressure to close the loop on plastic waste intensifies, the chemical recycling sector continues to evolve and expand. Over the past year, we have observed further advancements in pyrolytic and other technologies, welcomed some progress in regulation, but also encountered increasing hostility from environmentalists toward the sector.
Better quality with thorough cleaning
Suppliers are enabling recyclers to clean post-consumer waste with technologies for tackling heavy contamination, including printing inks.  Â
Upcoming Events:
AMI Plastics World Expo
November 12-13, 2025
Cleveland, Ohio
Information and Registration:Â https://events.amiplastics.com/plastics-world-expos-na/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor
