The U.S. recycled PET (rPET) market is under unprecedented pressure in 2026, with cheap imports, declining demand, and shrinking domestic capacity stressing the circular economy and plant operators.
Film recycling is entering a decisive phase. As Extended Producer Responsibility laws expand and virgin resin prices stay low, the next year will determine whether PCR plastics can scale, innovate, and build resilient end markets.
Alterra Energy has expanded its chemical recycling technology licensing agreement with Abundia, enabling two new US recycling sites and accelerating advanced plastics recycling development nationwide.
NAPCOR’s 2024 PET recycling report shows record RPET imports, shifting demand trends, and rapid growth of non-bottle recycling, signaling major change within the North American RPET recycling market.
The UK’s plastics sector is facing shrinking reprocessing capacity, rising imports and hidden environmental costs. Strengthening domestic supply is essential to achieving a resilient circular plastics economy.
