| World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 145.3 million tonnes (Mt) in October 2017, a 5.9% increase compared to October 2016.

| The International Copper Study Group (ICSG) released preliminary data for August 2017 world copper supply and demand in its November 2017 Copper Bulletin. The Bulletin is available for sale (single issues €100/€150, annual subscription €500/€750 for orders originating from/outside institutions based in ICSG member countries).

| The European plastics industries are reaffirming their support to the Circular Economy Package.

| On 15 November 2017, China officially notified WTO of its intent to adopt a number of Environmental Protection Control standards for imported solid wastes as raw materials.

| BIR has been informed that China has officially notified the WTO of its intent to adopt the GB 16487 Environmental Protection Control standards for a certain number of wastes.

| At a time when the politicians and media are looking for industry led voluntary interventions to encourage the consumer to deal with their plastics packaging responsibly; opportunities for positive, effective and consistent consumer communications are being lost.

| At this year’s edition of the “dynamic days” held October 23-24, 2017 in Weissenbach, Lower Austria, Starlinger inaugurated the new headquarters of its division recycling technology. The building is located in close proximity to the existing Starlinger factory.

| The Blockchain Development Company (BCDC) – a member of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance – has announced the launch of RecycleToCoin, a recycling initiative for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, using blockchain technology.

| The process is called Blend Re:wind and generates three circular outgoing product streams.

| The Recylex Group has today reported its sales for the nine-month period to September 30, 2017 and for the third quarter of 2017.

| The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries’ (ISRI) MRF Council held a forum this week on the potential recyclability of several consumer products packaging items. The meeting brought together a large cross section of the industry with different vantage points.

| According to Zero Waste Europe the current European economic incentives to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic packaging in Europe need to be re-thought.

| Wacker Neuson reported a marked increase in revenue and earnings for the third quarter of 2017. The company remains positive about the fourth quarter of 2017 and expects its revenue and earnings forecast for the current fiscal year to come in at the higher end of previous forecasts.

| Andusia Recovered Fuels Ltd announced that the company is now moving in to the SRF waste market, as well as the RDF market which they have been well known for over the past 5 years.

| Today, FCC Medio Ambiente (the Spanish brand for FCC Environment) celebrates more than 40 years’ commitment to energy efficiency and the introduction of electric vehicles for the provision of environmental services.