PepsiCo has started rolling out Gatorade bottles made with Eastman PET Renew, a recycled material produced from hard-to-recycle plastic waste. The initiative highlights how molecular recycling can help create food-grade beverage packaging while supporting broader circular economy goals.
A Mexican startup is converting difficult-to-recycle plastics into fuel using pyrolysis technology. Supporters see it as a practical response to the growing waste crisis, while critics argue it risks turning plastic pollution into carbon emissions. The debate highlights a larger question about the future of recycling.
A large-scale industrial pilot project tested whether plastics from end-of-life vehicles can be efficiently recycled. The results show strong technical potential, but costs, contamination, and supply chain fragmentation remain major obstacles.
India’s recycled PET sector says recycling capacity is available, but weak adoption by packaging brands is leaving plants underused despite upcoming mandatory recycled-content targets.
SK chemicals announced that seven materials from its ECOTRIA CLARO and SKYPET product families have been officially recognized by RecyClass as compatible with European PET recycling systems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to circular plastics and sustainable recycling technologies.
Europe’s recycling industry is facing a growing crisis as low demand for recycled plastics threatens investments, expertise, and processing capacity. A new German study outlines six practical measures to strengthen the circular plastics economy, stabilize the recycling market, and prepare for future recycled content requirements.
Greyparrot and Kenvue have announced a strategic partnership to improve circular packaging through AI-powered waste intelligence. Using Greyparrot’s Deepnest platform, Kenvue will gain real-world recycling data to optimize packaging design, improve material recovery, and support sustainability goals globally.
European recyclate prices surged in April 2026 as the US-Iran conflict disrupted petrochemical supply chains and increased feedstock costs. Buyers are resisting higher prices, while polymer markets remain volatile amid supply shortages and rising energy costs.
The U.S. PET recycling industry is facing mounting economic pressure as domestic recyclers shut down, imports increase and collection rates remain stagnant. The crisis highlights the growing disconnect between sustainability promises and the financial realities of maintaining a circular plastics economy.
