The second half of 2025 could see renewed investment in pyrolysis oil after the EU set out its approach to mass-balance accounting in early July. It has proposed a fuel-exempt model. A consultation on the proposals ended on 19 August. The Commission is currently conducting a review before presenting a final draft to its technical, with the aim of adopting the proposals under an implementing decision in autumn 2025. It is currently unclear the extent of any changes to the SUPD proposals resulting from the consultation

The new material handler features an 18 m (59.1 ft) reach plus two counterweight configurations to meet jobsite conditions. Its wide, 4.8 m (15.7 ft) track gauge retracts to a 4.1 m (13.5 ft) width to simplify transport. The wide operating track gauge combines with the undercarriage's 7.2 m (23.6 ft) track length to deliver smooth, stable operation at extended reach.

The report points to stalled renovations as the main cause. Only 1% of buildings are upgraded each year, while deep retrofits reach just 0.2-0.3% of the existing stock. At the same time, embodied emissions are rising, with cement and brick demand increasing by 18% over five years.

The impacts of accelerating climate change are also an urgent challenge, according to the European Environment Agency's (EEA) most comprehensive, 'state of environment' report, published today. The outlook for most environmental trends is concerning and poses major risks to Europe's economic prosperity, security and quality of life.

156 civil society organisations have issued a joint letter to President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commissioners, and national ministers calling for an immediate moratorium on approving and building new waste incineration facilities across the EU.

Located to the south of Oslo in the municipality of Skien, the MRF is now fully operational and has demonstrated exceptional throughput and precision, processing 5 tonnes per hour of residual Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) without the need for any manual labour. This touch-free operation not only boosts efficiency but also enhances worker safety by eliminating exposure to hazardous materials and repetitive strain tasks.

Tomra Recycling has published its latest eBook titled "AI in Recycling: Unlocking New Possibilities". The digital guide focuses on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, in transforming recycling processes and advancing material circularity.

Vanden Recycling has launched a campaign to provide free polymer analysis reports during October. The initiative, available to businesses in the UK, Europe, Turkey, India and Australia, is intended to help stakeholders better understand the composition, contamination levels and processing potential of their plastic materials.

Researchers at Iowa State University have compiled a new resource that brings together regulated and restricted substances relevant to food packaging. The work, supported by the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS), analyzed international and domestic chemical lists with a focus on food contact materials (FCMs). These include multilayer plastic and paper packaging, can coatings, utensils and other items widely used in the food sector.

Polypropylene (PP), one of the most widely used plastics in packaging, remains one of the most difficult materials to recycle into food-contact applications. A European initiative, Nextloopp, has announced progress in tackling this challenge by developing processes that transform kerbside post-consumer PP waste into food-grade compliant resin.

Austrian technology provider MAS has introduced its Iqonic Twin Hyper PET, a new platform designed for PET recycling. According to the company, the system combines a conical twin-screw extruder with an infrared-based solid-state polymerisation (SSP) step that operates without nitrogen. This approach is said to deliver stable viscosity levels, consistent colour quality, and reduced acetaldehyde content, while lowering overall energy demand.

BASF, Porsche and technology partner BEST have successfully completed a pilot project that demonstrates how complex waste streams from end-of-life vehicles can be kept in circulation. The project focused on automotive shredder residues, which are often considered difficult to recycle and are usually incinerated, and explored how they could be turned into valuable raw materials for plastics.

The OLIWA project (Repurposing Olive Waste in circular economy solutions) has officially started with the goal of turning olive by-products into valuable co-products. Coordinated by the University of Torino, the initiative brings together 25 partners from six Mediterranean countries, including Spain, Greece, and Italy.

Plastics are one of the most widely used materials. Their versatility and durability make them an integral part of many industries. However, these properties also pose a serious environmental problem. The European Patent Office (EPO) has examined the development of innovation in plastic waste management over a period of five decades on the basis of international patent families (IPFs). It shows that innovations in plastic waste management are increasing significantly and are showing remarkable momentum compared to other technology areas.

Roma Grus, a construction materials supplier on the island of Gotland, has partnered with CDE to open a new 140tph waste recycling plant. The facility processes construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E) waste and converts it into high-quality recycled aggregates and sand for use in new building projects.

Ineos Styrolution has received the first commercial-scale delivery of recycled styrene monomer (SM) at its Antwerp site. The material was supplied by Indaver from its newly inaugurated depolymerisation plant, the first facility in Europe dedicated to polystyrene recycling.

Martin Engineering has published new guidance on the safe servicing of conveyor belt cleaning blades, underlining the importance of professional maintenance and monitoring systems.

World crude steel production for the 70 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) was 145.3 million tonnes (Mt) in August 2025, a 0.3% increase compared to August 2024.

New research from BB-REG-NET has found that the UK government's existing tax regime is working against its stated ambitions for a circular economy. The study points out that while official strategies call for more reuse, repair, and recycling, fiscal policies continue to favor linear consumption and disposal.

The European Electronics Recyclers Association (EERA) has named Judith Wanjala as its new Policy, Communications and Members Officer, starting on 1 October 2025. In her new role, she will work closely with EERA's CEO, Julie-Ann Adams, to advance the association's mission of representing Europe's electronics recyclers.