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1. Governmental and Lobbying
GOP state AGs accuse Plastics Pact, others of pushing ‘restrictive’ green rules
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/green-packaging-push-plastics-pact-others-may-violate-antitrust-laws-state-ags-say
Five state attorneys general are warning the U.S. Plastics Pact, Green Blue and the Consumer Goods Forum that their efforts to make plastics packaging greener could be violating antitrust laws and raising prices for consumers by “dictating” restrictive recycling standards to companies.
Republican attorneys general for Florida, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Montana sent a letter Oct. 29 to the three groups, accusing them of coordinating with large companies to “impose anticompetitive recycling practices” that violate antitrust laws.
Plastic pipes and tariffs get their day at the high court
https://www.plasticsnews.com/kickstart/plastic-pipes-and-tariffs-get-their-day-high-court
November 5 will bring plastic pipes and tariffs to the Supreme Court, as part of a trio of cases that court experts like ScotusBlog say carry massive stakes both for the economy and presidential power.
Plastic pipe maker Genova Pipe is one of five plaintiffs in a case the court will hear during oral arguments Nov. 5 challenging President Donald Trump’s claim that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 gives him authority to impose wide-ranging tariffs to curb trade deficits and fentanyl’s role in drug addiction in the U.S.
Genova’s case, V.O.S. Selections vs. the United States, is being combined on the court’s calendar with another case from businesses, Learning Resources Inc. vs. Trump, and third brought by 12 states.
If Supreme Court arguments can be called blockbuster, and I think they can, these are clearly it. Trump had been considering attending in person but announced Nov. 2 he would not be, writing that he didn’t want to “distract from the importance of this decision.”
Recycling trade groups in US, Europe work to harmonize guidelines
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/work-continues-recycled-plastics-guideline-harmonization
Plastics recycling officials on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean expect to extend their efforts to harmonize recycling guidelines in an effort to boost recovery efforts.
It’s now about two-and-a-half years into a three-year cooperation agreement between the Association of Plastic Recyclers in the United States and RecyClass in Europe to standardize, as much as possible, recycling guidelines each organization publishes.
Because of market conditions and regulatory differences in each market, the two sides will never completely unify. But the goal is to come together as much as possible to create a more unified approach.
Bigger Washington role in recycling will boost economy, ACC says
The American Chemistry Council says that if Washington took a bigger role in recycling — including setting new rules for chemical recycling and supporting extended producer responsibility programs — the U.S. economy could see significant gains.
The group released a study Oct. 28 stating that recycling 50 percent of plastics in the country’s municipal solid waste — more than five times the current rate — would generate up to 173,000 jobs and $49 billion in annual economic activity.
At a news briefing marking the release, the head of ACC’s plastics unit said federal policies could push the economy in that direction, in part by providing more clarity on regulations for chemical recycling, or advanced recycling as ACC calls it.
2. Features and News Articles
AI moving from sidelines to strategic center for processors
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/panel-highlights-ai-successes-failures-mapp-conference
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword. In fact, AI is here now, already a strategic part of many plastic and rubber product producers’ daily operations.
At least, according to a panel of experts at the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors Benchmarking Conference in early October, it should be.
“What we are seeing today is not a once-in-a-generation event, it’s a once-in-a-century event,” said Derek Moeller, founder of CognitionWorks, which designs language AI systems for manufacturers.
The 2025 conference theme — “authentic intelligence” — mirrored the AI conversations happening throughout the three-day gathering.
Federal science panel on plastics highlights collaboration, microplastics
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/us-science-panel-plastics-circularity-looks-packaging-construction-textiles
A new report from a U.S. government science panel on plastics calls for more collaboration on environmental challenges, notes an “urgent” need to address microplastics and highlights “tension” over whether recycling gets prioritized over actions like boosting reuse.
Those were among the informal conclusions in an Oct. 15 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, summarizing the work of a NASEM panel that met for two days in May.
The panel, which included presenters from industry, environmental groups, and academia, did not intend for its report to offer prescriptive policy recommendations.
Recycled resin prices in Europe continue to drift downward
Standard recyclate prices across all classes in Europe have fallen steadily in each of the last two months. Recyclers have been reluctantly forced to reduce prices because of several unfavorable market trends. The cost of scrap material has fallen significantly over the last two months due to lower standard thermoplastic prices. Demand remains low across the board due to economic weakness and competition from lower-cost virgin plastics. There is also plenty of material available, even though run rates at recycling plants remain low.
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
EU recycled 42.1% of plastic packaging waste in 2023
Eurostart has released the latest data on plastic packaging recycling in the European Union. The block recycled 42.1 percent of the plastic packaging waste generated in 2023, a slight increase from the 41 percent registered in 2022.
The EU body calculates the plastic packaging recycling rate by dividing the amount of plastic packaging waste that is recycled by the total amount of plastic packaging waste generated in a given year. That means the recycling rate of plastic packaging waste counts exclusively material that is recycled back into plastic.
In 2023, an average of 35.3 kilograms of plastic packaging waste was generated for each person living in the EU and, out of this, 14.8 kg were recycled. The amount of generated plastic waste decreased by 1.0 kg compared with 2022, while the amount of recycled plastic waste increased by 0.1 kg. Between 2013 and 2023, the amount of plastic packaging waste generated increased by 6.4 kg per capita, while the amount recycled increased by 3.8 kg.
A total of 79.7 million metric tons of packaging waste was produced in the EU, equivalent to 177.8 kg per inhabitant. While this marks a reduction of 8.7 kg per capita compared with 2022, the figure remains 21.2 kg higher than in 2013.
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
October 2025 issue: https://content.yudu.com/web/1rl19/0A42x3p/PRWOct25/html/index.html?origin=reader
Recycling lines continue to evolve, say developers
Increasing technology development is leading to important improvements in plastics recycling lines. These lines are evolving, driven by advanced technologies that aim to improve efficiency, purity, and scalability, while simultaneously remaining cost-effective and reducing environmental impact.Â
RecyclersÂ’ guide to K2025
All you need to know about the K2025 Show, including an exhibition preview.
Additives aim to complete the circle
As companies strive to include more recycled plastics content in packaging and other applications, additives will play an increasingly important role. Additives to improve the properties and processing of recycled plastics will play a key role in enabling companies to meet minimum post-consumer recycled content (PCR) requirements in various applications and polymer types.Â
AMIÂ’s recycling expo returns to Cleveland, Ohio
This year, Plastics Recycling World Expo North America – held on 12-13 November – highlights new technologies and includes a free, two-day conference featuring leading industry figures. Plus, visitors to this yearÂ’s Expo will have access to more than 300 exhibitors.Â
The event brings together four focused expos: Plastics Extrusion World Expo, Compounding World Expo, Plastics Recycling World Expo, and Polymer Testing World Expo.Â
Preview the ExpoÂ…
Suppliers develop new solutions for odor control
A variety of sources are being used by additive companies to create formulations to reduce odors and emissions in recycled plastic materials.Â
Upcoming Events:
AMI Plastics Recycling World Expo
November 12-13, 2025
Cleveland, Ohio
Information and Registration:Â https://events.amiplastics.com/plastics-world-expos-na/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor
