Plastics News
- Governmental and Lobbying
White House MAHA report says plastics may play role in chronic disease
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/white-house-report-looks-plastics-role-chronic-disease
A new White House report from President Donald Trump’s Make America Healthy Again commission names microplastics and chemicals in plastics like phthalates as potential contributors to chronic health problems in U.S. children.
The May 22 report, spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to lead to a second White House report by mid-August outlining more detailed strategies.
Even without the detailed action plan, however, it suggests that parts of the Trump administration could be open to major changes in how chemicals are regulated.
The White House report builds on comments Kennedy made at a plastics conference in April where he discussed concerns over chemicals in plastics and outlined tougher regulations for evaluating food packaging.
Plastics, manufacturing groups hail House passage of Trump tax plan
Plastics and manufacturing groups are hailing tax provisions — including those for research and development and buying capital equipment — that narrowly passed the U.S. House May 22 as part of President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy legislation.
The Plastics Industry Association, which has included support for the tax measures as a key part of its annual Washington fly-in lobbying day for several years, said the new rules would make U.S. manufacturers more competitive globally and boost investment.
“This bill includes key priorities our members advocated for on Capitol Hill — provisions that support investment, innovation, and long-term planning,” said Matt Seaholm, president and CEO of the association, in a May 22 statement. “It delivers the certainty and resources companies need to drive and secure future growth, reinforcing America as a dominant manufacturing leader.”
- Features and News Articles
The biggest issue for resin distribution firms in 2025? ‘Uncertainty’
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/tariffs-lack-stability-top-concerns-resin-distribution-firms-2025
Resin distributors are wrestling with uncertainty — mainly from tariffs — as they approach the midpoint of 2025.
Plastics News recently spoke with executives at distributors across the industry to get their takes on the challenges of the first half of 2025. Here’s what they had to say.
Although some seasonal factors have affected resin buying so far in 2025, most changes in purchasing are linked to major tariffs launched by the U.S. on April 2, with some of those reduced as of May 12. U.S. officials said many of the tariffs will be reviewed in 90 days, which would be sometime in mid-August.
European plastics industry could suffer under Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs
President Donald Trump is threatening a straight 50 percent tariff on goods from the European Union starting June 1 but there is a call for a more balanced approach from economists in the plastics industry.
In a May 23 post on his Truth Social Trump said trade talks with the EU, which has 27 member countries, aren’t going anywhere.
Russia hopes to see return of US plastics firms
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/us-plastics-firms-weigh-return-russia-trade-hits-two-year-high
Russian officials are hopeful that U.S. plastics producers and processors will resume operations in the country this year, pointing to improved diplomatic and economic signals from President Donald Trump.
According to a May report by state-owned news agency RIA Novosti, trade between the two nations increased by 1.5 times in March 2025 compared with the previous month, reaching a two-year high of $573 million. It marked the third consecutive month of trade growth, raising optimism for continued momentum.
Trade levels between the U.S. and Russia had fallen to just $3.5 billion in 2024, the lowest since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
While the Russian government attributes this decline to a lack of engagement by the previous U.S. administration, much of the pullback is actually due to corporations’ decisions to reduce their exposure in Russia after it invaded neighboring Ukraine in 2022, combined with stiff sanctions on Russia.
Officials in Russia now cite Trump’s apparent interest in restoring bilateral ties, particularly in chemicals and plastics, as a catalyst for renewed cooperation.
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
Recycled resin imports face tariff uncertainty
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/tariff-pause-nears-end-sparking-scramble-recycled-resin-market
The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is set to expire July 8, causing insecurity in the recycled resin market as both buyers and international sellers brace for potential price hikes.
While a 10 percent baseline tariff remained in place during the suspension, importers are rushing to bring in as much material as possible before the exemption ends.
North American recycled PET prices take an unseasonable dip
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/rpet-prices-fall-recycled-pet-global-markets-hit-us
Recycled PET resin prices are falling in North America during the second quarter of 2025.
Sources in contact with Plastics News say recycled PET has decreased an average of 3 cents. Clear post-consumer PET pellet prices decreased by 2 cents and green post-consumer pellets are down by 4 cents.
Plastics News is also adjusting the range for green post-consumer pellets to 50-56 cents. These changes will be shown on this week’s resin pricing chart.
Sources said the price decrease is the result of low-priced imported PET.
Upcoming Events:
Plastics Recycling Technology
Long Beach, CA
June 10 -11, 2025
Information and Registration: https://www.ami-events.com/event/8663c550-b6d5-496e-9ca3-15f9fd54094e/home?RefId=Website_AMI
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
May/June 2025 issue: https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWMayJune25/html/index.html?refUrl=https%253A%252F%252Fmagazines.amiplastics.com%252F
New Bridge in Panama uses Recycled Plastics
Thanks to the joint efforts of Bladex, the Panama Canal, and the Botellas de Amor Foundation, a new pedestrian bridge has been built over the Panama Canal using over three tonnes of recycled plastic. The structure, measuring 81 m in length, connects four communities, significantly improving the mobility and safety of over 300 people.
Recycling Know-How Comes Together in California
Market leaders and industry experts will share their knowledge at AMI’s new Plastics Recycling Technology North America Conference in California in June. See details around the speakers and key discussion points in this Conference preview…
PIR Advances: From Factory Floor to Future Fabric
Developments in recycling of production waste and use of post-industrial recycled (PIR) content over the past year have covered a range of areas, including textiles, injection molding, and film extrusion. Progress has been spurred by regulation, innovation, and application development.
Shredder Companies on Upward Trajectory
Major developers and suppliers of shredding technology are enjoying strong demand despite economic pressure in the plastics recycling sector.
Amazon’s Vision for Recyclable Bioplastics Packaging
In the quest to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and packaging waste, many companies and consortia are working on improved solutions for collection and sortation as well as seeking alternatives to conventional plastic materials and package designs. Innovators from diverse industries and geographies are combining existing knowledge with new technologies to make packaging more sustainable while still meeting functional requirements.
Forming a Bond: Solutions for Mixed Materials
One of the challenges with using mechanically recycled compounds is the range of materials that can be in the mix. Different types of polymers don’t mix well, and inorganic fillers don’t always bond well with organic polymers. A host of problems, such as gels and poor mechanical and optical properties, can arise from a poorly blended mix. Different types of chemistries promise to help by acting as the interface to better disperse one material type within the matrix of another or to bond dissimilar types together for improved strength.
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
