Sennebogen presents material handling in recycling at IFAT 2026, including new machines, electric solutions and the MG4.1 orange peel grab.

In its 60-year history, the trade fair has rarely been as closely linked to global economic developments as it is today. Supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have intensified the discussion on raw material availability. In this context, the circular economy is regarded as an important instrument for reducing dependency on primary raw materials. At the same time, it maintains the competitiveness of European industry.

According to the organisation, suppliers of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technology contribute to the objectives of the Act through the development and manufacturing of equipment used in waste treatment and energy recovery.

A coordinated plant train from Kleemann forms the core of this process chain, supporting the targeted production of defined aggregate fractions for reuse in asphalt mixing plants. The concept is complemented by application support and service structures within the Wirtgen Group portfolio.

The TXS 350 features self-cleaning stars and sectional speed control, enabling operators to adjust screening parameters according to material characteristics and site conditions. An integrated control system allows for the adjustment of individual deck sections to maintain consistent screening performance across varying feedstocks.

The material, presented in the journal Nature Chemistry, functions as an ion-conducting component in a solid-state battery cell and can subsequently be separated into its molecular building blocks through exposure to an organic solvent. The approach is intended to simplify battery disassembly and improve material recovery.

The EU is consistently aligning its plastics industry with recyclability and creating binding standards with new requirements on recyclability and the use of recyclates that have a global impact. For China, as one of the largest exporters to the EU, this means that products and packaging will have to be competitive in the future not only in terms of price, but above all with regard to regulation. In their report "Impact of EU recycling regulations on China's key packaging-intensive export sectors", ICIS and CPCIF show how Europe's regulatory framework is evolving into a global benchmark that is reshaping production and material decision-making in Chinese companies.

Plastics are essential materials in everyday modern life, but their durability and versatility lead to considerable stress for both the ecology and human health. Through physical, chemical and biological processes, they break down into micro- and nanoparticles that can be detected in soils, waters and the atmosphere. At the same time, there is increasing evidence of toxicological effects such as inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress and endocrine disruptions, while the long-term health consequences remain largely unclear. Against this background, strategies to reduce plastic input, develop standardised detection methods and promote sustainable recycling and upcycling technologies are of essential importance. The study "From Harm to Hope: Tackling Microplastics' Perils with Recycling Innovation" conducted by Italian scientists provides an overview of the formation, detection and health relevance of microplastics as well as current approaches to the circular economy. The study was published in the journal "Molecules".

Plastics are indispensable materials, but they can cause significant environmental problems if not disposed of in the proper manner. With the social and political pressure to reduce plastic waste, the importance of clear definitions of terms is growing, because what is considered "plastic" can vary, depending on the context. In the UK, this fact has led to different regulations: the Single Use Plastic Ban (SUPB) aims to prevent littering, the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is intended to encourage circularity. Both are based on the REACH regulations, but differ in their treatment of natural polymers. This discrepancy has created uncertainty, especially for manufacturers of bio-based and biodegradable materials. The article "Plastic definitions in UK regulation" by BB-REG-NET examines how such definitional differences influence the development of a circular economy and points out ways to achieve coherent, innovation-friendly regulation.

From a political point of view, the concept of reuse is highly valued, but insufficiently anchored in both legal and operational terms. It intervenes in established material flow and business models, but without being backed up by clear specifications, incentives or responsibilities. For the waste management industry, this creates conflicting goals, additional costs and a certain degree of uncertainty. The question of whether reuse targets actually bring about real waste avoidance or merely have a symbolic political effect therefore remains open. In the report "Targets for reuse and preparing for reuse in the European Union", the Belgium-based NGO RReuse has examined current reuse practices and possible new designs.

Despite ambitious climate targets, the market penetration of bio-based plastics in the UK remains low. The existing levy and tax systems have so far created hardly any incentives to make biogenic alternatives competitive with fossil plastics. On the contrary, uncoordinated regulations are creating new market distortions that slow down rather than promote sustainable innovation. The report "Fixing fossil market failures: the impact of UK taxes on bio-based plastics" by BB-REG-NET explains what reforms would be needed to actually accelerate the transformation to a circular economy.

In recent years, the circular economy has developed into a central model of sustainable economic and environmental policy. Despite all the progress, however, the active participation of consumers remains limited. The study "Bringing the consumer into the picture - normalising the circular economy", conducted by WPI Economics on behalf of SUEZ UK, examines why existing circular economy approaches have so far only had limited effectiveness from the consumer's point of view and which conditions must be met to normalise circular practices in everyday life.

Europe is facing ecological and social crises that are pushing the linear economic model to its limits. However, the circular economy concept offers solutions: it reduces emissions and resource consumption, strengthens resilience and creates social opportunities. Cities play a key role in this endeavour, as they bundle resource flows and control decisive levers through public procurement and infrastructure. In order to exploit their potential, cities need clear framework conditions and political support. The article "Policy Brief on Accelerating the Circular Economy for a Prosperous and Competitive Europe" presents the priorities of the Circular Cities Frontrunner Group and derives recommendations for both policy and practice.

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a central goal of international climate policy. The circular economy promises to make an important contribution here, as it combines resource conservation and climate protection. But not all practices work the same: While preventive approaches such as product design can reduce emissions, other measures sometimes lead to unexpected effects. The report "Unpacking Circular Economy Practices and Carbon Emissions Relationships: Co-benefits and Legitimacy Perspectives" examines which strategies are actually effective and how theoretical perspectives help to better understand their impact. The report was published in "Business Strategy and the Environment".

The 2020 report "Breaking the Plastic Wave" by The Pew Charitable Trusts provided the first robust roadmap to combat global plastic pollution. Since then, the data situation has improved significantly. The "Breaking the Plastic Wave 2025" update uses the expanded state of knowledge to present the ecological, economic, health and social consequences of the global plastic cycle more comprehensively.

The video examines the structure and core functions of the London Metal Exchange (LME), including price discovery, trading operations, risk management and hedging strategies. It also outlines the historical development of metals trading and explains how exchange-based pricing mechanisms influence physical markets. The objective is to clarify the operational framework of the LME and its relevance for companies active in secondary raw materials and metal recycling.

The analysis also finds that a full transition to steel produced via electric arc furnaces could lower the sector's emissions footprint by 38 per cent.

According to the study, the European Union's measures to date to diversify raw material imports have not yet had any measurable effects. Bottlenecks in availability slow down industrial development within the EU, while the recycling of strategic materials plays only a minor role. Against this background, the auditors consider it unrealistic that numerous funded projects can be implemented within the planned time frame.

The material was produced at Cylib's pilot facility in Aachen using the company's water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) process. According to the company, the recycling process enables the recovery of lithium in a quality that meets industrial specifications for battery production. The successful qualification confirms that recycled lithium carbonate from end-of-life batteries can be reintegrated into established battery manufacturing processes.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest-growing waste recycling streams. It covers anything with a plug, power cord or battery that has been disposed of.