Plastics

Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have examined the application of metal oxide electrodes in electrochemical microplastic detection and assessed their suitability for environmental monitoring. The study analyses current developments in electrochemical sensing as an alternative to conventional spectroscopic methods for identifying microplastics in aquatic and complex environmental matrices.

The global polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market has entered 2026 with soft demand, volatile freight and aggressive import competition defining sentiment across most regions. • Seasonality, freight volatility and speculative activity …

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 organisers of the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2026 have announced the shortlist of finalists. The winners of the seven awards will be revealed on 6 May at the Plastics Recycling Show Europe, where all the finalists will also be showcased.

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.

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.

The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, introduced in October 2025, is designed to make producers financially and operationally responsible for the packaging they place on the market and its end-of-life management.

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.