SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: September 8-12, 2025

September 12, 2025

Steel Rebounds as Risk Appetite Improves

Steel rebar futures rose to around CNY 3,060 per tonne in mid-September, recovering from a two-month low as improved global risk sentiment lifted commodity markets. The move followed signs of a cooling US labor market and mild inflation, which strengthened expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts and supported risk assets. Still, demand concerns in China continued to weigh, with the property sector and construction activity under sustained pressure. Rising iron ore costs, driven by supply risks at Guinea’s Simandou mine and seasonal restocking demand in China, further squeezed steelmakers’ margins. On the trade side, China’s steel product imports climbed 11.1% to 0.50 million tonnes, while exports fell 3.4% to 9.51 million tonnes. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Marks Fresh 14-Year Highs Above $42.00

Silver price (XAG/USD) extends its winning streak for the third successive session, marking a fresh 14-year high at $42.17 during the Asian hours on Friday. The precious Silver attracts buyers as market expectations for three Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts this year increase after US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims climbed to their highest since October 2021. (Source: FXStreet)

ANZ Raises Year-End Gold Forecast to $3,800

ANZ Group on Wednesday raised its year-end gold price forecast to $3,800 per ounce and said prices could peak near $4,000 by June next year, citing robust investment demand for bullion. Spot gold hit a record high of $3,673.95 on Tuesday and gold is up 38% year-to-date, driven by a weaker dollar, strong central bank purchases, dovish monetary policies, and rising global uncertainty. Greenback-priced bullion, which yields no interest and is often considered as a safe-haven asset during periods of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, typically performs well in a low-interest-rate environment. (Source: Reuters)

Copper Rises to 6-Week High on Supply Concerns

Copper futures climbed above $4.6 per pound in mid-September, the highest in six weeks, as tightening global supply underpinned prices. China reported around a 5% drop in September production, cutting about 500,000 tonnes of refined copper from the global market. The decline comes as inventories remain near multi-year lows, with London Metal Exchange stockpiles about 40% below their five-year average. Supply pressures deepened after major producer Freeport-McMoRan confirmed its Grasberg mine in Indonesia will stay shut while rescue efforts continue for seven missing workers. On the macro side, sentiment was further lifted by expectations of looser US monetary policy, with softer labor data and moderate inflation fueling bets on deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts. (Source: Trading Economics)

Aurubis Secures € 200 Million from EIB to Drive Recycling and Copper Production

Aurubis AG, a global provider of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide, formally signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a € 200 million investment loan. The five-year loan will support investment in two strategic projects at Aurubis: expanding copper refining at its Bulgarian site and scaling up metal recycling and environmental protection at its Hamburg plant. Both projects reinforce sustainable metal production and support key European Union policy objectives such as economic growth, regional development, and sustainable business practices to create new jobs. The financing commitment represents the first EIB financing for the sector since the adoption of the new EIB Group strategy to secure Europe’s access to critical raw materials earlier this year and actively supports the rollout of the Critical Raw Materials Act. (Source: Aurubis AG)

Anglo American, Teck Strike $53B Merger in Decade’s Top Deal

Anglo American is acquiring Teck Resources, Canada’s largest diversified miner, in a $53-billion all-share merger that would create the world’s fifth-largest copper producer — if regulators in Canada, the United States and China sign off. Anglo will exchange 1.3301 shares for each Teck share, a structure it called a “zero-premium” merger. The math tells a different story: the exchange ratio represents a 17% premium on Teck’s closing price Monday, though Anglo will offset it with a $4.5-billion special dividend to its investors, leaving the effective premium at just 1%. If completed, Anglo shareholders will own 62.4% of the new company, to be named Anglo Teck, while Teck shareholders will hold 37.6%. Anglo American’s chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad will lead the combined miner, with Teck CEO Jonathan Price as deputy CEO. The headquarters will be in Vancouver, with Anglo’s London office to be “streamlined”. Secondary listings are planned for Toronto and Johannesburg, along with a New York float via American Depository Receipts. (Source: Mining.com)

Georgia-Pacific and TJC, L.P. Reach Agreement for Georgia-Pacific to Acquire Anchor Packaging

Georgia-Pacific and an affiliate of TJC, L.P. announced that they have reached an agreement under which Georgia-Pacific would purchase Anchor Packaging, a leading manufacturer of rigid food containers and cling film for the food service, retail and processor channels. Anchor Packaging is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and has operations in Arkansas and Wisconsin. Since 2019, Anchor Packaging has been a portfolio company of TJC (formerly known as The Jordan Company), a New York City-based private equity firm. Closing of the acquisition, subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions, is anticipated later this year. Financial details of the agreement are not being disclosed. (Source: Georgia-Pacific)

WACT-APM Terminals, GIVO Commission First Solar-Powered Recycling Plant in Onne

In a landmark move for environmental sustainability and community empowerment, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals Nigeria, in partnership with Garbage In Value Out (GIVO), has commissioned the first solar-powered recycling plant in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. The facility, designed to recycle plastic waste into reusable products while running on renewable solar energy, is expected to transform waste management in the community, promote clean energy adoption, and create new economic opportunities. Representing the Managing Director of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Daniella Sylva said the project underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable operations and community development. (Source: Vanguard News)

Ally Waste Acquires WeDoTrash, Expanding Reach and Service Capabilities in Texas

Ally Waste Services, the leader in multifamily waste support services, has acquired Texas-based WeDoTrash (WDT), expanding its reach in one of the country’s largest multifamily markets. This acquisition strengthens Ally Waste’s presence in Texas, the largest multifamily market in the country, and underscores both companies’ shared commitment to integrity, grit, and delivering exceptional service to multifamily communities. According to the announcement, WeDoTrash customers will see no disruption in their current service. In addition, they will now have access to bundled pricing and expanded waste solutions designed to reduce the workload on onsite teams while improving the resident experience. As part of Ally Waste, WDT clients benefit from nationwide resources, cutting-edge technology, including Ally’s resident app and customer portal, and daily service reporting for added transparency. (Source: Ally Waste)

Ace Green Recycling and Gold Star Metals Enter Multi-Year Strategic Supply Agreement to Secure Battery Recycling Feedstock in Texas

Ace Green Recycling, Inc. announced it has signed a multi-year Master Used Lead Acid Batteries Supply Agreement with Gold Star Metals, LLC, a leading recycler and aggregator of battery materials in the southern United States. Under the agreement, GSM will supply Ace with a minimum of 30,000 metric tons of ULAB annually, with the ability to scale volumes up to 100,000 MT per year as Ace expands operations at its planned flagship facility in Texas, which is expected to commence operations in 2026. The ULAB will be sourced from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and New Mexico, and complements Ace’s existing supply agreements, providing a strong and reliable pipeline of feedstock for the Company’s clean recycling technology. (Source: PR Newswire)

CEVA Logistics to Open UK Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Centres as Part of Major European Launch

CEVA Logistics is launching a recycling service for end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, which will see it open 15 battery logistics centres across Europe, starting with the UK, France and Spain this year. The multi-million investment follows a trial of a battery logistics centre, which was launched by Ceva Logistics in 2022 at its hub in Ghislenghien, Belgium. Now CEVA is aiming to become a pioneer in the reverse logistics of used electric vehicle batteries, expanding its battery logistics centres across 10 European countries by 2027. The service, which is targeted at manufacturers, will offer a scalable solution complying with strict regulatory requirements for battery processing. It aims to meet growing market demand, with around eight million lithium-ion batteries due to reach their end-of-life in Europe over the next five years. It will also help limit pressure on the use of rare metals and preserve natural resources. (Source: Motor Transport)

California Achieves Record Carpet Recycling Rate

On September 1, CARE submitted the California Carpet Stewardship Program’s 2024 Annual Report to CalRecycle, describing an all-time high annual Recycling Rate of 38.5% that exceeds the 34% goal for 2024 and shows non-stop continued year-over-year growth. This historically high recycling rate was supported by innovative grants, an active and growing collection network, a record number of pounds of carpet reused and ongoing development of markets for recycled carpet material. According to CARE, 82.7 million pounds of carpet was collected in the state in 2024, of which 90.5% was recycled. Some 2.9 million pounds of used carpet were sent for reuse, a 249% increase since 2021. In 2024 there were 390 collection points for carpet in California, of which 159 were CARE public drop-off sites. (Source: CARE)

Parliament Adopts New EU Rules to Reduce Textile Waste

The European Parliament has adopted new rules that place stronger responsibility on textile producers to tackle waste across the EU. Under the directive, producers that make textiles available in the EU will have to cover the costs of their collection, sorting and recycling, through new producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to be set up by each member state, within 30 months of the directive’s entry into force. These provisions will apply to all producers, including those using e-commerce tools and irrespective of whether they are established in an EU country or outside the Union. Micro-enterprises will have an extra year to comply with the EPR requirements. The new rules will cover products such as clothing and accessories, hats, footwear, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, and curtains. On Parliament’s initiative, EU countries may also set up EPR schemes for mattress producers. Member states should also address ultra-fast fashion and fast fashion practices when deciding on financial contributions to the EPR schemes. (Source: European Parliament)

New EU Rules on Design, Reuse and Recycling in the Automotive Sector

On Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted proposals for new circular economy rules covering the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to end-of-life treatment. The measures call for vehicles to be designed for easier dismantling and reuse of parts, with a mandatory share of recycled plastics in new cars—20% within six years and 25% within ten years, provided supply conditions are met. The proposals also require the European Commission to set targets for recycled steel and aluminum after a feasibility study. Three years after the rules take effect, manufacturers would assume extended producer responsibility, covering the costs of collecting and processing end-of-life vehicles. In addition, the rules call for a clearer distinction between used vehicles and end-of-life vehicles, along with an export ban on those classified as end-of-life. (Source: European Parliament)