SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: April 20-24, 2026

April 24, 2026

Gold Set for Weekly Decline

Gold held below $4,700 an ounce on Friday and was on track to decline about 3% for the week, as escalating tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz drove energy prices higher and intensified inflation concerns. Both sides have maintained their blockades of the strategic waterway, with peace negotiations showing little progress. President Donald Trump also said in a social media post on Thursday that he had ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” vessels laying mines in the strait, while US forces also boarded a supertanker carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the US-Iran ceasefire has been extended indefinitely as Washington awaits a new formal proposal from Tehran, while the truce between Israel and Lebanon has also been prolonged by three weeks. Elevated energy prices have heightened inflation risks and bolstered expectations of potential central bank rate hikes, weighing on the appeal of non-yielding bullion. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Set for Weekly Fall

Silver fell toward $75 an ounce on Friday and was on track to decline nearly 7% for the week, as escalating tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz drove energy prices higher and intensified inflation concerns. Both sides have maintained their blockades of the strategic waterway, with peace negotiations showing little progress. President Donald Trump also said in a social media post on Thursday that he had ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” vessels laying mines in the strait, while US forces also boarded a supertanker carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the US-Iran ceasefire has been extended indefinitely as Washington awaits a new formal proposal from Tehran, while the truce between Israel and Lebanon has also been prolonged by three weeks. Elevated energy prices have heightened inflation risks and bolstered expectations of potential central bank rate hikes, weighing on the appeal of non-yielding precious metals. (Source: Trading Economics)

Goldman Sachs Maintains 2026 Copper Price, Surplus Forecasts

Goldman Sachs has maintained its forecast for copper to average $12,650 per metric ton in 2026 and reiterated expectations of a 490,000-ton global surplus, even as potential supply disruptions emerge, according to Reuters. The bank warned that shortages of sulphuric acid, an essential input in copper production, could tighten supply if shipping disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz and following China’s planned export ban on the material from May. Sulphuric acid is critical to solvent extraction and electrowinning processes, which account for roughly 17% of global copper output. Chile and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seen as most exposed to supply constraints. Goldman estimates prolonged disruptions could cut 125,000 tons of output in the DRC, though weaker demand may offset losses. In Chile, up to 200,000 tons of production could be at risk due to reduced acid imports from China. (Source: Reuters)

Clean Earth Launches Solar Panel Recycling Services in Texas

Clean Earth has expanded into solar panel recycling at its facility in Lancaster after receiving authorization from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The site, already a hub for electronic waste processing, can now handle up to 600,000 solar panels annually, equivalent to about 20 million pounds of material. The company said the expansion provides a single-source solution for managing end-of-life solar equipment, including damaged, surplus and decommissioned panels. Clean Earth, a division of Enviri Corporation, said the move responds to growing demand for renewable energy waste management, particularly in Texas, one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the U.S. The company added that the facility is equipped to meet new state requirements for recycling and disposal of solar infrastructure, supporting compliance and circular economy goals. (Source: Clean Earth)

Renewable Metals Secures $12M to Advance Battery Recycling Technology

Renewable Metals has raised $12 million in an oversubscribed Series A round to accelerate the commercialization of its lithium-ion battery recycling technology, as demand grows for domestic recovery of critical minerals. The funding, led by Clean Energy Finance Corporation, brings total capital raised to more than $38 million. Proceeds will support continuous operations at the company’s prototype plant in Western Australia and engineering work for its first commercial facility in New South Wales. The company’s process can recover more than 95% of key materials, including lithium, cobalt and nickel, while handling multiple battery chemistries in a single processing line. It also eliminates the need for pre-sorting and reduces waste byproducts. Renewable Metals said its modular approach allows smaller, locally deployable plants, aiming to reduce reliance on exporting battery waste and strengthen regional supply chains. (Source: Renewable Metals)

M2i Global Partners with Volato and Regenerate to Expand Battery Recycling in the U.S.

M2i Global Inc. has formed a strategic partnership with Volato Group Inc. and Regenerate Technology Global to advance battery recycling technologies in the United States. The companies plan to develop battery recycling facilities across the U.S., with site selection currently underway. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic processing of end-of-life batteries, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve supply chain resilience for critical minerals. Regenerate’s hydrometallurgical technology enables recovery of battery materials with lower energy use and emissions compared with traditional smelting methods. The partners said the approach supports closed-loop recycling by producing materials suitable for reuse in new battery production. Executives from the three companies said the collaboration is intended to support the expansion of sustainable battery recycling infrastructure and reinforce U.S. energy security as demand for battery materials continues to grow. (Source: M2i Global)

International Paper to Acquire NORPAC for $360 Million

International Paper has agreed to acquire North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) from One Rock Capital Partners for $360 million, as it expands its packaging operations in North America. NORPAC operates a paper mill in Longview, Washington, employing about 500 people and producing roughly one million tons of containerboard and other paper grades annually. The facility is expected to enhance International Paper’s existing mill network by improving operational flexibility, lowering costs and supporting demand for lightweight recycled packaging materials. International Paper said the acquisition strengthens its presence on the U.S. West Coast and aligns with its long-term growth strategy. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval. (Source: International Paper)

Call2Recycle Canada Partners with Gaia Project to Expand Battery Recycling Education in New Brunswick

Call2Recycle Canada has partnered with The Gaia Project to expand battery recycling education in schools across New Brunswick, aiming to boost awareness alongside growing collection infrastructure. The initiative builds on the rollout of Call2Recycle’s “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” program in the province earlier this year. The partnership will introduce hands-on, curriculum-linked learning to students and educators, focusing on proper battery disposal, environmental impacts and the role of recycling in a circular economy. The Gaia Project, which works with more than 250 schools annually, is expected to integrate the program into about 30 schools in its first year. A pilot phase will begin in the 2026–2027 school year, including classroom activities, teacher engagement and community outreach. The organizations said the effort aims to encourage long-term recycling habits and increase participation across local communities. (Source: Call2Recycle)

American Beverage Expands Recycling Investments Through Every Bottle Back Initiative

American Beverage said it is continuing to invest in recycling infrastructure across the United States as part of its Every Bottle Back initiative, with total commitments nearing $500 million. The program, launched in partnership with municipalities and environmental groups, aims to improve collection systems and reduce plastic waste by increasing access to recycling. Industry investments have supported nearly 70 local projects over the past six years, including infrastructure upgrades and public education efforts. Recent projects include expanded curbside recycling in Fairfax, Virginia, distribution of new recycling carts in Providence, Rhode Island, and new collection systems for apartment complexes in Modesto, California. The initiative has helped deploy more than 1 million recycling carts and is expected to increase recovery of PET plastic and aluminum over the coming years. Industry officials said collaboration with local partners remains key to improving recycling rates and reducing landfill waste. (Source: American Beverage)

Circular Services Opens $61 Million Recycling Facility in North Texas

Circular Services has opened a $61 million materials recovery facility (MRF) in Frisco, Texas, expanding recycling capacity in the rapidly growing Dallas-Fort Worth region. The 120,000-square-foot facility will process single-stream recyclables from nearby communities including McKinney and Frisco. Construction began in March 2025, with the company describing the project as a major investment in regional recycling infrastructure. The plant is equipped with advanced sorting technology, including optical systems and glass cleanup capabilities, and is designed to improve material recovery while reducing landfill volumes. It will also serve as a drop-off site for items not accepted in curbside programs. Company officials said the facility supports efforts to strengthen the local circular economy and manage increasing waste volumes. The project is expected to create about 35 full-time jobs. (Source: Circular Services)

Tomra Opens Test and Training Center in North Carolina

Tomra Systems ASA has opened a new Test & Training Center in Charlotte, expanding its support capabilities for customers across the Americas. The 4,500-square-foot facility, located at the company’s regional headquarters, is designed to test material sorting and provide technical training using Tomra’s latest technologies. The center features advanced sorting systems, including AutoSort, GainNext and InnoSort Flake, alongside AI-powered tools such as the PolyPerception Waste Analyzer, which monitors real-time material flow and performance metrics. Company executives said the investment will enhance pre- and post-sales support, offering customers access to testing, system optimization and training throughout equipment lifecycles. The site complements an existing test facility in Buffalo operated with Wendt Corp., strengthening regional capabilities as demand for advanced sorting and recycling solutions grows. (Source: Tomra)

Mexico Eyes Early Trade Deal on Steel, Aluminum, Autos Ahead of USMCA

Mexico is aiming to reach a preliminary agreement with the United States on trade in steel, aluminum and automobiles ahead of the formal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government is prioritizing these sectors as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer visits Mexico for talks. “We hope that a preliminary agreement can be reached,” she said. Mexico is a major exporter of vehicles, auto parts and machinery to the United States, with much of that trade currently protected under USMCA rules. The upcoming review is seen as critical, as Washington has indicated it may push for stricter rules of origin to limit goods, particularly from China, entering the U.S. tariff-free via Mexico. (Source: Reuters)

Indian Recyclers Urge Removal of Aluminium Scrap Import Duty

Indian recyclers have asked the government to scrap a 2.5% import duty on aluminium scrap, citing rising costs and tightening global supply, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. The request, made by the Material Recycling Association of India to the Prime Minister’s Office, highlights pressure on micro, small and medium enterprises that rely on imported scrap to meet quality requirements. India sources most of its scrap from the European Union, the United States and the Middle East. Supply constraints linked to potential EU export curbs and disruptions in the Middle East have pushed costs higher, the group said. The secondary sector accounts for about 40% of India’s aluminium supply and depends on imports for roughly 85% of its scrap needs. Recyclers argue that removing the tariff would improve competitiveness and support manufacturing, while also aiding decarbonisation, as recycled aluminium uses significantly less energy than primary production. (Source: Reuters)