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Numbers That Matter: Interest rates, energy costs, uncertainty all on the rise
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/interest-rates-energy-costs-uncertainty-all-rise
It is easy to state that recent geopolitical events are now at the top of my list of risks to the outlook for the U.S. economy and the plastics industry. But it is exceedingly difficult to assess this risk and then come up with reasonable probabilities for potential outcomes.
Try as I will, I cannot fully wrap my head around all of the possible risks that arise when a megalomaniac in charge of the world’s largest nuclear arsenal goes rogue. I am not alone in my confusion, and I know that widespread confusion is part of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s strategy. Nevertheless, that does not make it any easier to forecast. For the time being, I am in day-to-day mode.
So let’s keep it simple and make sure we have a firm grasp on the things we do know. Conditions can and will change quickly, but there are some things about which I am pretty certain — as of today. These are my core issues.
Resin prices in Europe trending up
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/resin-prices-europe-trend-upward-sharply
In April, European standard thermoplastic prices increased sharply yet again following significantly higher monomer cost settlements. Polyethylene settled in line with the higher cost of ethylene while polypropylene prices were raised by just less than the propylene cost settlement. Polystyrene and PVC price levels increased well above the rise in feedstock costs. Overall, supply is tight while demand has faltered with prices at such high levels.
Polymer Points Live April 2022: No relief in sight from higher resin prices (VIDEO)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/video/resin-prices-are-high-and-theres-no-end-sight
North American resin prices are at historic highs, and prices may increase even more in the near term. In the April Polymer Points Live, Frank Esposito recaps market activity and weighs in on the outlook for resins including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, PET, nylon, polycarbonate and recycled resins.
- Recycling
Companies team up to advance flexible packaging recycling
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/companies-team-advance-flexible-packaging-recycling
A new collaboration between Sealed Air Corp., ExxonMobil Corp. and Ahold Delhaize USA plans to use chemical recycling and aims to divert flexible plastics from landfills, the companies said.
“The collaboration … will help increase the use of recycled content by validating the technical and economic viability of a certified circular system based on advanced recycling technology and mass balance attribution,” the companies said in an April 14 statement.
Consumer brands see value in chemical recycling
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/consumer-brands-see-value-chemical-recycling
A new, independent scientific study demonstrating has found that the chemical recycling of hard-to-recycle plastic waste could reduce the climate impact of plastic when compared to waste-to-energy incineration.
The coalition is working with others to encourage plastics recycling innovation, which includes exploring the potential of chemical recycling as a complementary approach to mechanical recycling. The new LCA study serves to reinforce and underscore the stance of the Coalition outlined in its latest Vision and Principles Paper, entitled Chemical Recycling in a Circular Economy for Plastics.
COVID-19 impacts post-consumer plastic recycling
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/recycling-numbers-drop-due-covid-19
Post-consumer plastic recycling volumes took it on the chin in 2020 amid COVID-19, dropping by more than 5 percent from the previous year, according to new numbers released April 22.
The latest data has well-known recycling officials calling for more supply, more investment and “immediate solutions.”
The United States recycled a total of 4.8 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics, including bottles, film, nonbottle rigids and other plastics. That’s down 290 million pounds, or 5.7 percent, from 2019 numbers, statistics show.
States take on chemical recycling policies
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/states-debate-chemical-recycling-policy-could-it-spur-investment
The plastics industry’s push for chemical recycling legislation in states scored wins in recent weeks, with three more states passing laws the industry says will speed up investment in the new technologies.
But the effort is also meeting resistance in some capitols, including in Michigan and the Northeast, where lawmakers see it as a risky move that means less regulation for unproven technologies.
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
Link to March/April issue: https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWMarApr22/html/index.html?refUrl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.plasticsrecyclingworld.com%252F
Current Trending Topics:
Companies Struggle with UK Plastics Tax
The UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax came into force on April 1 amid warnings that many companies are unprepared. A £200 per tonne levy can now be placed on producers or importers of plastic packaging if they do not include 30% recycled content.
RPET Progress: Growing Use in Bottles and Trays
The market for recycled PET (rPET) is well established and shows no sign of slowing down. Support for rPET’s growth has been given extra momentum by EU packaging legislation which aims to increase sustainability, and by brand owners committing to their own targets for incorporating recycled plastics in their packaging. The upward trend for rPET is particularly strong in food-contact bottle and tray applications.
Adding More Functionality to Materials
Additives can help the plastics recycling cause in all sorts of ways, from performance enhancement to delayed decomposition and traceability. A rosy future is predicted for the additives market, as is to be expected after an enforced pause in productivity. The latest report from Ireland-based Research and Markets indicates good growth for the global plastics additive markets in the next five years.
Upcoming Events:
Plastics Recycling World Expo Europe
June 14 – 15, 2022
Essen, Germany
For More Info and To Book A Stand: https://eu.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor?utm_source=PRWMag&utm_medium=ExpromAd&utm_campaign=220221_E080_PA_BYS_Exhib_UK_Prospect_Exhibitors_PRW_mag
Plastics Recycling Technology
September 13 – 15, 2022
Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen
Vienna, Austria
Plastics Recycling World Expo
November 9 – 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio
For More Info and To Book a Booth: https://go.ami.international/expos-us-2022-exhibit/?utm_source=AMIMags&utm_medium=ExpromAd_DPS&utm_campaign=220120_E000_PA_BYS_Exhib_US_Prospect_Exhibitors_AMI_Mag_panel
