Plastics News
Current Trending Topics in the News with Links to Articles:
- Governmental and Lobbying:
Focus on microplastics at treaty talks spotlights need for additives database
A global industry coalition is moving ahead with plans for a public database of human health studies around plastic additives because it expects microplastics concerns to be “negotiated pretty heavily” at the next round of plastics treaty talks in August.
An ICCA representative told a recent industry conference in Washington that the new database from the International Council of Chemical Associations is designed to provide governments and environmental groups with more information on chemical safety and to respond to looming questions in the treaty about health risks from plastic additives.
The sixth and potentially last session of the treaty talks are scheduled for Aug 5-14 in Geneva, Switzerland.
US Plastics Pact says recycling success relies on more than one approach
A plastics recycling advocacy organization is calling for more government intervention as a way to help kickstart the use of post-consumer resin.
The U.S. Plastics Pact, which an outgrowth of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s work in plastics circularity, is out with a new report outlining a vision to help drive increased recycled resin use.
“Voluntary and policy solutions aren’t either/or — they’re mutually reinforcing,” said Jonathan Quinn, CEO of the pact, in a statement. His group includes companies, trade groups, nonprofits and governmental entities.
“Industry leadership creates market momentum. Smart policy locks in progress and levels the playing field. We need both,” Quinn said.
Kennedy eyes tougher packaging rules, spotlight on microplastics
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/kennedy-tells-industry-expect-big-changes-food-packaging
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he’s considering major changes in how food packaging is regulated, and he wants more focus on human health risks from microplastics and chemicals used in polymers.
While some details remain unclear, Kennedy used a speech at an April 23 chemical policy conference to say he will elevate concerns over health risks from plastics exposure within agencies under HHS control, including the Food and Drug Administration.
- Features and News Articles:
Machinery makers brace for tariffs as US producers hope for an edge
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/plastics-machinery-makers-brace-tariffs-us-producers-may-gain-edge
Many machine builders and equipment suppliers are grappling with uncertainties about tariffs, supply chain disruptions and higher input costs. See how some organizations are dealing with the impacts and the outlook for the future.
Recycled LLDPE prices climb as supplies take a sharp drop
Recycled linear low density polyethylene stretch film pellets are seeing a price increase in 2025 as a result of decreasing supply and growing demand.
According to sources in contact with Plastics News, recycled LLDPE prices have increased by 2 cents.
“Right now, there is an increase in the price of the feedstock,” said a material supplier in Texas. “Demand has increased. A lot of big brand stores are looking to get [post-consumer content] in their items, and the majority of our linear LDPE is sold to manufacturers for these companies.”
In 2025, prices are expected to continue rising amid ongoing tariff discussions. Meanwhile, material supply is beginning to tighten. Just a few months ago, the material was nearing a surplus.
PVC, PS prices rise in March as PP falls
https://www.plasticsnews.com/materials/pvc-ps-prices-rise-march-pp-falls
Early-year pricing activity sent North American prices for two commodity resins up and one down in March.
Prices for PVC and polystyrene increased, while polypropylene prices declined for the month. Prices for polyethylene and PET bottle resins were flat compared with February.
PVC prices ticked up an average of 1 cent per pound in March as buyers prepared for the upcoming construction season. Prices had moved up 2 cents in February after being flat for the previous two months.
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.
- Recycling and Sustainability:
Global recycling stalls as production soars, new study states
A new study out of China backs what many have already said: global plastic recycling is stagnant in the face of rapidly growing production.
Researchers at Tsinghua University peg the global plastic recycling rate at 9 percent while there is what they describe as a significant shift in plastic waste disposal.
“Incineration is emerging as a prominent waste disposal method (34 percent),” researchers said, while “landfill is decreasing substantially (40 percent).”
“The global demand for plastics has quadrupled over the past decades and it is projected to double by 2050,” the report states.
Uncertainty hits recycled resin pricing market for 2025
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/uncertainty-hits-recycled-resin-pricing-market-2025
Expect 2025 to be a year of uncertainty for recycled resin pricing. Recyclers, buyers and experts agree: until people see how tariffs work out, nothing else matters.
“These markets are very uncertain, and they have been since COVID,” said Emily Friedman, recycled plastics senior editor at ICIS, at the Plastics Recycling Conference in National Harbor. “But even more so now with the trade implications going on, which seem to change by the hour.”
Alongside the usual market forces like seasonal demand, bottle supply and construction starts, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are causing a lot of uncertainty.
Upcoming Events:
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
March/April 2025 issue: https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWMarApr25/html/index.html?refUrl=https%253A%252F%252Fmagazines.amiplastics.com%252F
Walmart fails to hit its 2025 packaging targets
Retail giant Walmart said it does not expect to meet its 2025 plastic packaging reduction and recyclability targets. The news comes shortly after the US retailer admitted it would fall short of the 2025 and 2040 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
Innovation in additives targets recycling issues
Formulation experts have identified solutions that restore flow characteristics and physical properties. New additives can help recycled polyolefins, PET, and PVC.
Preview: RACE Expo and Conference
The dynamic plastics industry of India and wider South Asian region is the focus for a free exhibition and conference this May. See the preview of the exhibiting companies…
RPET: Going beyond tackling what is easy
The PET recycling sector’s market and regulatory issues have not stopped companies in their development of innovative technology solutions.
In Europe, eight out of ten PET bottles are collected for recycling, a rate Petcore Europe attributes to the region’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) structures and design for recycling. But disparities between Europe and other regions in PET recycling regulation, infrastructure, and pricing mean that European PET recyclers face unprecedented challenges.
Second edition of GreenPlast expo and conference in Italy
The plastics recycling and sustainability event returns with a new conference featuring top experts from the value chain. A preview of the speakers follows…
New filters cope with contamination
Technology from melt filtration specialists increasingly includes automation to help recyclers remove contaminants. The general consensus is that the ongoing trend towards more precise and efficient filtration systems is necessary to improve the quality of end products.
Upcoming Events:
Plastics Recycling Technology
June 10 – 11, 2025.
Long Beach, CA
Information and Registration: https://www.ami-events.com/event/8663c550-b6d5-496e-9ca3-15f9fd54094e/summary?RefId=Advert_AMI_magazine
Bioplastics
August 26-27, 2025
Cleveland, Ohio
Information and Registration: https://www.ami-events.com/event/5e7218cb-45fb-4e84-bb42-8c3ca9fbcf6c/regProcessStep1:2e4774a7-3ee0-4c28-b399-5c3fb87c83ff?RefId=Magazine_Ad
AMI Plastics World Expo
November 12-13, 2025
Cleveland, Ohio
Information and Registration: https://na.compoundingworldexpo.com/ami-plastics-world-expos-north-america-exhibitor-form?utm_source=FSE_mag&utm_medium=ami_mag&utm_campaign=25_PWE_NA&utm_id=exprom_exhibitor_dps
