Montachem Media Monitoring Report, October 2024

Plastics News

 

Current Trending Topics in the News with Links to Articles:

 

  1. Governmental and Lobbying:

 

As plastics treaty debates production caps, a look at potential impact and implementation

https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/plastics-treaty-and-production-caps-look-implementation-and-impact

 

As the plastics treaty heads toward the finish line, the debate over limits or caps on virgin resin production has gotten louder, with the Biden administration and now some global businesses publicly backing limits.

 

Still, the idea remains very controversial, and it’s far from clear if caps will be part of any final treaty. Some observers say that even if caps are included, practical implementation could be years away.

 

Nonetheless, the idea of some kind of limits around plastics production is getting more attention as the talks move toward their fifth and final scheduled round of negotiations, from Nov. 25-Dec. 1 in Busan, South Korea.

 

 

Dart blaming new law for closure of two California plants

https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/dart-blaming-new-law-closure-two-california-plants

 

Dart Container Corp. is putting 175 workers at two California plants out of work, citing upcoming changes in state law restricting use of expanded polystyrene foam products.

The Mason, Mich.-based company said 100 workers will lose their jobs in Corona and another 75 will be out of work in Lodi.

 

News of the layoffs come as implementation of Senate Bill 54 looms. That legislation, which the company characterizes as an EPS foam ban, requires products made from EPS to have at least 25-percent recycled content starting Jan. 1.

 

That provision essentially outlaws EPS from use in the state as EPS recycling does not come close to meeting that threshold.

 

  1. Features and News Articles:

 

Recycled HDPE prices increase slightly for the end of the year

https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/recycled-hdpe-prices-increase-slightly-end-year

 

Prices for recycled high density polyethylene resin pellets have continued to rise slightly in the last quarter of the year.

 

Natural post-consumer pellet prices increased by 2 cents, mixed-colored post-industrial pellets are up 1 cent and mixed-colored post-consumer pellets increased 2 cents, according to market sources in discussion with Plastics News.

 

 

Polymer Points: Polyethylene prices stay stable in September

https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/polyethylene-prices-stay-stable-september

 

Commodity resin pricing activity slowed down in September, with the only movement coming from price drops for polypropylene and PET bottle resin.

Lower feedstock costs and drops in demand led to lower North American prices for both those materials. Average selling prices for PP were down an average of 4 cents, while PET bottle resin prices dipped an average of 3 cents, according to market sources contacted by Plastics News.

 

The September PP drop followed a similar drop in price for polymer-grade propylene (PGP) monomer feedstock. PP prices had been up 2 cents in August, marking the third consecutive price hike for that material. Those three moves covered the summer months and totaled 9 cents per pound.

 

 

Mergers & Acquisition Tracker

https://www.plasticsnews.com/mergers-acquisitions/plastics-industry-business-deals-including-mergers-and-acquisitions

 

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.

 

 

  1. Recycling and Sustainability:

 

Recycled HDPE prices increase slightly for the end of the year

https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/recycled-hdpe-prices-increase-slightly-end-year

 

Prices for recycled high density polyethylene resin pellets have continued to rise slightly in the last quarter of the year.

 

Natural post-consumer pellet prices increased by 2 cents, mixed-colored post-industrial pellets are up 1 cent and mixed-colored post-consumer pellets increased 2 cents, according to market sources in discussion with Plastics News.

Sources suspect an increase in demand due to companies having post-consumer material usage goals to meet in 2025.

 

 

Covestro invests in R&D, showcasing potential circular materials

https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/covestro-invests-rd-showcasing-potential-circular-materials

 

Covestro is tackling monomaterials as a pillar of its circularity goals in automotive and electronics applications to help customers design parts and devices that are easier to recycle at end of life as it invests in R&D operations globally.

 

The material supplier created a design guideline with requirements for its customers, partners, technicians and application developers to create examples of ways monomaterials can be used, Tim Lemacher, key account manager of engineering plastics at Covestro, told Plastics News at the Fakuma trade show.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Plastics News Executive Forum

Hilton La Jolla, Torrey Pines

La Jolla, CA

March 10-11, 2025

 

For details and to register:  https://www.plasticsnewsevents.com/event/d8450920-6038-4f9b-b0d3-2d438472b570/summary?utm_term=Home&utm_campaign=EF2025NavBar&utm_medium=Onsite&utm_content=Home&utm_source=PNMKT_Dedicated

 

 

 

Plastics Recycling World Magazine

 

Link to October Issue: 

https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWOct24/html/index.html

 

 

The right combination: plastic recycling plants

Developers of plastics recycling lines are finding way to help companies transform PTT, PP, PE, PS, and polyal waste.

 

The latest developments in recycling lines reflect a growing commitment to addressing the challenges posed by plastic waste through technical innovation, regulatory support, and industry collaboration.

 

 

Let’s go round again:  additives revive plastics

Stabilizers and property and process improvers are hard at work protecting plastics through use, recycling, and reuse.

 

The trend towards increasing recycled plastic content continues as countries move toward plastics circularity.  At the same time, there is a growing expectation that recycled plastics should have good performance. Additives play a key role in enabling compounders and recycled resin suppliers to meet this expectation.

 

 

Cleveland event to host key recycling exhibitors

The North American edition of POlastics Recycling World Expo is back in Cleveland, Ohio this November and the number of exhibitors continues to grow.  The free event – organized by AMI, the publisher of Plastics Recycling World – takes place at the Huntington Convention Centre in Cleveland on 13 – 14 November.

 

 

Meeting the odor challenge head on

With the increase in use of post-consumer recycled resin, there is a growing need for additive and processing solutions to remove offensive odors.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

AMI Plastics Recycling World Expo – North America

November 13-14, 2024

Cleveland, Ohio

 

For details and to register: https://na.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor