SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: April 13-17, 2026

April 17, 2026

Gold Poised for Fourth Weekly Gain

Gold held steady near $4,800 an ounce on Friday and was on track for a fourth consecutive weekly advance, as prospects for a permanent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran helped ease concerns over inflation and central bank rate hikes. President Donald Trump said Tehran had agreed to terms including abandoning ambitions for a nuclear weapon, supplying “free oil,” and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, although Iranian officials have yet to verify these claims. Despite this, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under a dual blockade, while IMF Executive Director Fatih Birol cautioned that restoring a meaningful portion of disrupted oil and gas output could take up to two years. Even so, oil prices have retreated sharply amid growing optimism over a potential Iran deal, easing inflationary pressures and dampening expectations of further rate hikes. Gold is set to rise by about 1% this week and remains roughly 17% above its March low. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Prices to ‘languish between $50 and $100 for years’ - Bloomberg’s McGlone

Silver prices may struggle to regain recent highs despite a projected sixth consecutive annual supply deficit, according to a market strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence. Mike McGlone said the metal could remain rangebound between $50 and $100 per ounce for an extended period, with spot prices recently trading near $79. He noted that while silver previously surged above $120 earlier this year, elevated prices could shift supply and demand dynamics, potentially easing the deficit. The latest Silver Institute survey forecasts a 46.3 million-ounce shortfall, though industrial demand is expected to fall 3%, including a sharp drop in solar-related consumption. McGlone added that silver’s recent rally mirrors past spikes, raising the risk of a pullback toward long-term averages, even as investment demand is projected to increase. (Source: Kitco News)

Copper Heads for Fourth Weekly Advance

Copper futures held above $6 per pound on Friday and were on track for a fourth consecutive weekly gain, supported by renewed buying interest from Chinese consumers as fabricators took advantage of softer prices. Expectations around an upcoming US tariff decision also lent support, prompting some cargoes to be redirected toward the US market. Beyond near-term trade dynamics, copper continues to benefit from structural demand tied to global electrification, artificial intelligence adoption, and steady consumption from power grids and construction activity. On the supply side, output remains constrained by mining disruptions, chronic underinvestment, and long project development timelines. Sentiment was further buoyed by growing optimism over an end to the US-Iran conflict, which eased inflation concerns and reduced expectations for tighter central bank policy, factors that have recently weighed on metals markets. (Source: Trading Economics)

Zinc Futures Hold at Over 2-Month High

Zinc futures held at an over two-month high, trading above $3,400 per tonne, supported by improving market sentiment amid easing US-Iran tensions and signs of tighter near-term supply. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a peace deal with Iran could be reached soon, saying a second round of talks may take place over the weekend. On the supply side, inventories at the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell by 1.7% over the past week, signaling tighter availability, while ongoing mine closures and operational disruptions have also limited immediate supply. However, the broader outlook remains mixed, as the restart of Boliden’s Tara mine and the ramp-up of production at Ivanhoe Mines’ Kipushi project are expected to keep the market in a modest surplus. This aligns with data showing that the market moved into surplus in January. Demand conditions continue to offer support, with forecasts pointing to annual growth of around 2%. (Source: Trading Economics)

Novelis Extends Infinitum Partnership to Strengthen Aluminum Can Recycling Loop

Novelis has renewed its long-term partnership with Infinitum to advance closed-loop recycling of beverage cans in Norway. Under the agreement, used aluminum collected through Infinitum’s system will continue to be shipped to Novelis’ recycling facility in Latchford, where it is processed into new can sheet for reuse. The companies said the arrangement supports a fully circular system with consistent material quality and traceability. Executives highlighted the role of stable feedstock supply and transparent logistics in improving recycling efficiency and reducing emissions. The partnership also supports Novelis’ broader targets to increase recycled content and lower carbon intensity by 2030. The renewed deal is expected to further optimize material flows and reinforce large-scale circularity in the aluminum packaging sector. (Source: Novelis)

BASF, TSR Partner to Expand EV Battery Recycling in Europe

BASF and TSR Group have agreed to collaborate on early-stage processing of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, aiming to strengthen Europe’s battery recycling value chain. The partnership will focus on dismantling and discharging used batteries, as well as processing them into black mass, a key intermediate for recovering critical materials. The companies also plan to explore joint activities in metal fraction processing and logistics for battery waste. TSR, part of the Remondis Group, will contribute its recycling infrastructure and Europe-wide logistics network, while BASF brings expertise in battery materials and operates a black mass production facility in Schwarzheide. Executives from both companies said the collaboration aims to improve resource security and accelerate the development of a circular battery economy in Europe. (Source: BASF)

Cisco Tests DEScycle’s Modular Technology for PCB Metal Recovery

Cisco Systems Inc. is partnering with DEScycle to trial a modular metals recovery system for processing scrap printed circuit boards (PCBs) from its hardware. The trial will take place at DEScycle’s demonstration facility in Wilton and aims to evaluate recovery performance at scale, generate cost data and assess integration into existing reverse supply chains. The system is designed to recover valuable metals, including copper, gold and rare earth elements, from electronic waste. DEScycle said its distributed processing platform could offer a more flexible and less energy-intensive alternative to traditional smelting, which remains capital-heavy and geographically concentrated. The collaboration builds on Cisco’s earlier investment in DEScycle and reflects growing industry interest in localized, circular approaches to recovering critical materials from electronic waste. (Source: Cisco Investments)

Rivian, Redwood Partner on Second-Life Battery Storage at Illinois Plant

Rivian and Redwood Materials have launched a battery energy storage partnership using repurposed electric vehicle batteries at Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal. The system will initially deploy more than 100 second-life Rivian battery packs to deliver 10 megawatt-hours of dispatchable energy, helping reduce electricity costs and ease grid pressure during peak demand. Redwood will integrate the batteries into its energy storage platform using proprietary management technology. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the collaboration enables EV batteries to serve as flexible energy assets beyond vehicle use, while Redwood CEO JB Straubel highlighted the role of repurposed batteries in addressing rising power demand. The companies said the approach offers a scalable way to expand energy storage capacity while supporting grid reliability and reducing reliance on new infrastructure. (Source: Redwood Materials)

Altilium Wins £18.5M Grant to Build UK’s First EV Battery Recycling Refinery

Altilium has secured £18.5 million in government funding to scale electric vehicle battery recycling and construct the UK’s first commercial facility for recovering critical minerals from end-of-life batteries. The grant, awarded through the DRIVE35 Scale-Up Fund backed by the Department for Business and Trade, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Innovate UK, will support the development of the ACT3 plant in Plymouth. The facility is designed to process 24,000 EV batteries annually, producing materials including nickel intermediates, lithium sulphate and graphite. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with commissioning planned for late 2027. Altilium said the project will help establish a domestic circular supply chain, reducing reliance on imported raw materials and supporting the UK’s automotive sector. The company added its recycling technology can recover more than 95% of battery materials and significantly cut emissions compared with mined alternatives. (Source: Altilium)

GFL to Acquire SECURE Waste Infrastructure in $6.4 Billion Deal

GFL Environmental Inc. has agreed to acquire SECURE Waste Infrastructure Corp. in a transaction valued at approximately $6.4 billion, expanding its footprint in Western Canada. Under the agreement, SECURE shareholders will receive $24.75 per share, representing a 23% premium to the company’s recent trading average. The consideration will be paid through a mix of 80% GFL shares and 20% cash. The deal has been approved by both companies’ boards and is expected to close following shareholder approval. SECURE operates a network of more than 80 facilities, including landfills, treatment sites and recycling operations across Western Canada and North Dakota. GFL said the acquisition will strengthen its ability to offer integrated waste management services and increase operational scale. Company executives added the deal is expected to enhance margins and cash flow while supporting long-term growth objectives. (Source: PR Newswire)

Ascend Elements Files for Chapter 11 to Restructure Finances

Ascend Elements has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it seeks to restructure its finances and stabilize long-term operations, CEO Linh Austin said in an April 9 statement. The Massachusetts-based lithium-ion battery recycler said the move will allow it to continue operating while addressing what Austin described as “insurmountable” financial challenges. He said the process provides a court-supervised framework to reset the company’s balance sheet while maintaining existing management. Ascend operates its Base 1 facility in Georgia, with capacity to process 30,000 metric tons of batteries annually, and is developing additional projects in Kentucky and Europe. Despite financial pressures, the company said demand for recycled battery materials remains strong as efforts to build a circular supply chain for critical minerals accelerate. (Source: Ascend Elements)

Glencore Takes 45% Stake in U.S. Secondary Aluminum Recycling Plant

Glencore has acquired a 45% stake in an aluminum recycling and remelting facility near Charleston, South Carolina, expanding its footprint in the U.S. secondary metals sector. The remaining 55% will continue to be held and operated by Alumicore. Glencore said the investment builds on its previous funding role in the plant and strengthens its position in the U.S. aluminum supply chain. The company already holds a 30% stake in Century Aluminum, a major U.S. primary aluminum producer. The Charleston facility will operate alongside Alumicore’s existing and planned recycling sites in Pennsylvania, with combined capacity expected to exceed 120,000 tonnes of recycled aluminum annually. The companies said the partnership will support the development of a more resilient domestic recycling network and expand access to secondary aluminum supply. (Source: Glencore)

Malaysia to Step Up Enforcement Against Illegal E-Waste

Malaysia will step up enforcement efforts against the import of illegal electronic waste (e-waste) into the country, including setting up a special port branch, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Arthur Joseph Kurup said on Wednesday. The special unit will be managed by the ministry’s Department of Environment (DOE), Arthur told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony to mark the 51st DOE Enforcement Day. “We are working on two fronts. First, to establish a special DOE branch in the port areas. Second, to increase the number of officers. With this, we can meet the growing manpower demand for an ever-increasing workload,” he said. “We are also continuously carrying out integrated operations with other agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police,” he said. Noting that Malaysia remains a destination for illegal e-waste and that syndicates are colluding with certain industry players in the country, Arthur said enforcement efforts are ongoing, directed against such networks, with 582 million ringgit (about 147.14 million U.S. dollars) in total seizures and 515 individuals detained since April 6. (Source: Xinhua)

India Mandates 40% Recycled Content in Packaging

India has introduced a requirement for brands and producers to use at least 40% recycled material in packaging, tightening rules aimed at boosting circularity and reducing plastic waste. The policy builds on existing Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regulations, which set a 30% recycled-content target for 2025–26, rising to 60% by 2028–29. Companies that fall short of initial targets can carry forward obligations for up to three years, with at least one-third met annually. The move follows approvals by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for 17 recycled PET production facilities, adding around 300,000 tonnes of capacity. Industry groups said the rule supports recent investments in recycling infrastructure, while addressing supply constraints linked to global disruptions in packaging materials. (Source: Yahoo Finance)