Market

The U.S. Plastics Pact has published a framework outlining measures to advance the circularity of film and flexible plastic packaging in the United States. The document, titled “Journey to Film & Flex Circularity: A Framework of Necessary Design, Collection, and End Market Levers,” identifies system-level actions across packaging design, collection systems and end market development.

The BIR has released “Understanding the LME”, the latest instalment in its BIR Academy video series “More Knowledge Together”. The initiative provides industry-focused knowledge on market mechanisms and policy developments relevant to the recycling sector and aims to support professional development across the global recycling industry.

In industrial plastic recycling and extrusion, system efficiency, thermal management and drive reliability are essential for stable continuous operation. FAE SRL, a supplier of electrical control panels and automation systems for OEMs in the plastics sector in Italy and Switzerland, required a drive solution capable of high power density and straightforward integration into modern control environments.

At Plast India on 6 February 2026, Erema and Lindner Washtech announced the establishment of EREMA India. The new joint sales and service subsidiary responds to the growing demand for industrial plastics recycling solutions in India. By combining washing and extrusion technologies, the company provides coordinated process solutions covering the full mechanical recycling chain.

Fornnax Technology has appointed a new sales partner in Germany as part of its expansion in Central Europe. The company has entered into a cooperation with Dieter Jerschl, who will represent Fornnax recycling equipment and solutions in Germany, Austria and selected neighbouring markets.

Two years after its launch on 1 February 2024, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) demonstrates the role of digital infrastructure in operating a national circular economy system at scale. Since becoming operational, the scheme has processed close to 2.5 billion returned beverage containers, supported by an integrated IT platform managing data, transactions and reporting across the value chain.

BEWI has opened Norway’s first recycling facility for expanded polystyrene (EPS) at its insulation production site in Fredrikstad. The new plant enables the collection, processing and direct reuse of recycled EPS within the company’s local production of insulation materials.

Mozambique has issued its first waste recovery certificate through the Kolekt Exchange, marking an early step towards compliance with forthcoming Extended Producer Responsibility regulations. The certificate was issued by Topack, one of the country’s largest recycling companies and a long-standing partner of Kolekt.

In the plastics manufacturing industry, at least 50% of total costs are materials—primarily plastic resins—while the remainder is allocated across labor and other operating expenses. According to PLASTICS’ 2025 Size and Impact Report, materials accounted for 66.6% of shipments, annual payroll represented 12.7%, and the remaining 20.7% reflected other operating costs.

A carbon footprint assessment commissioned by the British Metals Recycling Association indicates that operational greenhouse gas emissions from the UK metals recycling sector could be reduced by up to 93 per cent by 2050.

The outline conference programme for the Plastics Recycling Show Europe 2026 has been released ahead of the event, which will take place on 5 and 6 May 2026 at the RAI Amsterdam.