News and Insights

North America recovered more PET thermoforms than ever in 2024. Yet PET thermoform processors bought less postconsumer resin. That may be the clearest sign yet that collecting more trays and clamshells is only one part of closing the loop.

PVC is rarely just PVC. A finished pipe, profile, cable jacket, flooring layer, roofing membrane or flexible medical component may contain stabilizers, plasticizers, impact modifiers, processing aids, pigments, fillers and other functional ingredients. That versatility is one of PVC's strengths. It also means that regulatory risk can enter through several doors.

North American PET processors are being pulled in two directions at once. Customers and state laws are asking for more recycled content. At the same time, the regional system that collects and reclaims PET is under financial pressure, while imported rPET is taking a larger share of supply.

The proposed Union Pacific acquisition of Norfolk Southern has moved from procedural uncertainty into a formal federal review—but it has not been approved.

Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves. A new U.S.-backed agreement could change how those reserves are developed and who benefits from the future barrels.

From April 2027, chemically recycled plastic will be able to count towards the UK's 30% recycled-content requirement under the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT).