SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: December 1-5, 2025

December 05, 2025

Gold Dips Ahead of PCE Data

Gold prices fell below $4,200 per ounce on Friday as investors awaited key US data ahead of next week’s FOMC decision. Focus is on the postponed September PCE report, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, due later today, which could clarify the timing and pace of monetary easing. Meanwhile, ADP reported an unexpected drop of 32K in private payrolls, and Challenger recorded 71K layoffs in November, bringing the year-to-date total close to 1.17M, signaling a cooling labor market. These developments have strengthened expectations of a Fed rate cut next week, with markets pricing in roughly an 87% probability. Reports that White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett could succeed Fed Chair Powell in May have also fueled speculation of a shift toward more aggressive easing. Over the week, gold is on track for a modest loss. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Dropped as Profit Booking Continued, with Markets Gauging the Fed’s Outlook

Silver prices retreated sharply by 2.31%, settling at 178,138 as traders booked profits and reassessed the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook for 2026. Weak U.S. labor market data strengthened expectations of a 25 bps rate cut next week. ADP data showed an unexpected decline in private payrolls, while Challenger job cuts rose 25% year-on-year, with U.S. employers announcing 71,321 layoffs in November—the highest for the month since 2022. Although layoffs eased from October’s 153,074, the trend reflects mounting labor market stress and supports the case for monetary easing. (Source: investing.com)

Copper Rallies on Supply-Squeeze Fears

Copper futures in the US climbed to around $5.4 per pound on Friday, hitting their highest levels in more than four months amid ongoing supply disruptions, while a large withdrawal of metal from LME warehouses earlier this week fueled speculation of a supply squeeze. Those moves were triggered by growing fears that the US will announce levies on refined copper next year. Meanwhile, Ivanhoe Mines trimmed its production forecast for the Kamoa-Kakula operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week, while Glencore cut its production target for 2026. In contrast, Rio Tinto raised its 2025 production forecast, citing accelerating developments at its Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. Copper prices also drew support from expectations that the US Federal Reserve will deliver a 25 basis point rate cut next week, with 2–3 more reductions anticipated next year. (Source: Trading Economics)

Vale Forecasts Iron Ore Price at $100/ton in 2026

Iron ore prices in 2026 will stabilize at around $100/t. This forecast was announced by Brazilian mining company Vale, according to Kallanish. In particular, an increase in supply from large mining companies, the development of the giant Simandou deposit in Guinea, and a gradual decline in demand from China are expected. Vale CEO Gustavo Pimenta stressed that the industry is undergoing structural changes. Deposits are aging, their exploitation is becoming increasingly expensive, and competitors are forced to switch to lower-quality ores. According to him, the depletion of reserves and the rising cost of production have radically changed the market model, and the company has raised its long-term price forecast from $90/t to $100/t. According to Vale’s estimates, the global mining industry is losing 50-60 million tons of annual production capacity due to the natural depletion of deposits, not counting the additional 85 million tons that are mined in excess of supply and demand. This imbalance is creating a new break-even point for the industry at $100/t, said Executive Vice President of Commerce and Development Rogério Nogueira. (Source: GMK Center)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: December 1-5, 2025

Ace Green Recycling Accelerates Global Expansion with Equipment Deployments Across Asia

Ace Green Recycling, a leader in sustainable battery recycling solutions, has made significant strides in its global expansion with new equipment deployments in Taiwan, Thailand, and Armenia. In Taiwan, Ace’s Phase II project with ACME Metal Enterprise will enhance zero-emissions lead battery recycling at its Keelung City facility, expected to begin operations in early 2026. In Thailand, shipments of Ace’s GMPS recycling system are on track for deployment in 2026, supporting the growing demand for sustainable battery recycling. In Armenia, Ace has started shipping equipment for two recycling projects—lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries—set to launch by mid-2026. These projects align with Ace’s strategy to strengthen its presence in key international markets, including Europe and the Southern Caucasus. (Source: PR Newswire)

Lithium Battery Initiative to Make Recycling Easier and Safer for Nevadans

In a partnership between industry, government and higher education, a new lithium recycling program will provide convenient locations for Nevada residents to recycle everyday household items containing lithium batteries, according to reports. Redwood Materials, Washoe County and Nevada Tech Hub are partnering to launch a statewide battery recycling initiative, deploying 20 smart receptacles, providing residents with easily accessible options for recycling used batteries. The program encourages the public to recycle everyday items containing lithium batteries with the goal of preventing them from going to landfills, reducing fire risks and repurposing precious critical materials. The program is set to launch in early 2026. (Source: Nevada Today)

PetStar Expansion Powers World’s Largest Recycling Plant

Bepensa, Coca-Cola Mexico, and other bottlers in the Coca-Cola System have taken a step toward sustainability with the expansion of PetStar, the world’s largest food-grade PET recycling plant. Located in Toluca, Mexico, the facility’s $143M expansion increases its annual recycling capacity from 50,000 to 86,000 tons of food-grade recycled resin. This achievement is equivalent to processing over 123,000 tons of PET annually — or 5.5 billion bottles — that will be reintegrated into the Coca-Cola System’s value chain. The expansion brings PetStar’s total cumulative investment to $285M. At an event with the participation of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, praised the facility as a global benchmark for PET bottle recycling and a tangible example of how companies can avoid the use of virgin plastic. (Source: PlasticsToday)

Aduro Clean Technologies Collaborates with ECOCE to Advance Recycling of Flexible Plastic Packaging in Mexico

Aduro Clean Technologies Inc., a clean technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21st century, and ECOCE, A.C., a non-profit environmental civil association based in Mexico, announced that they have entered into a multi-year framework collaboration agreement to jointly evaluate Hydrochemolytic™ Technology (HCT) as a potential chemical recycling solution for flexible and mixed plastic packaging in Mexico, a large and particularly challenging waste stream that ECOCE has identified as a priority. Under this collaboration, ECOCE and Aduro are focused on evaluating the application of HCT on real post-consumer flexible plastic packaging from Mexico, including multi-layer and mixed structures, sourced through ECOCE’s post-consumer packaging collection and management systems. The collaboration contemplates that ECOCE would identify, characterize and supply representative material, while Aduro would conduct a structured, multi-stage program of Hydrochemolytic testing at its development facilities, from laboratory through pilot scale, to help assess processability, yields, product quality, and potential applications for the resulting liquid products. (Source: Aduro Clean Technologies)

Call2Recycle Expands Its Vape Device Recycling Program in Quebec

Call2Recycle, Canada’s leading organization for battery collection and recycling, is expanding its Recycle Your Vapes program in Quebec to include cannabis vape devices. This initiative is supported by the Government of Quebec and RECYC-QUÉBEC, aiming to address an urgent environmental issue. Quebec becomes the first Canadian province to implement a comprehensive recycling program for cannabis vape devices. Building on the initial program launched January 1, 2025, this expansion responds to the rapid growth of battery-powered products and evolving cannabis consumption methods, ensuring proper end-of-life recycling. In collaboration with producers, retailers, government entities, municipal partners, and stakeholders, Call2Recycle is deploying a safe and responsible solution that prevents batteries and device components from ending up in landfills, promoting a circular economy. This proven model can be implemented nationwide, wherever Canadians live and shop. (Source: Call2Recycle)

Ecobat Completes Sale of U.K. Operations to Funds Advised by Splitstone Capital

Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling, announced the successful completion of the sale of its battery recycling and specialty lead operations in the United Kingdom to funds advised by Splitstone Capital LLP. The transaction encompasses Ecobat’s facilities in Matlock and Welwyn Garden City. “With this closing, we’ve executed on our strategic plan to reposition the business,” said Tom Slabe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecobat. “Our exit from the U.K., together with previously announced divestitures in France, Italy, Germany, and Austria, allow Ecobat to sharpen its focus on North America and our lithium-ion battery recycling operations. Ecobat will continue to pursue additional opportunities to maximize value for shareholders beyond these transactions.” Rothschild & Co is acting as financial advisor and White & Case as legal advisor to Ecobat on the transaction. (Source: Ecobat)

Circular Colorado in Partnership with Direct Polymers to Establish an Innovation Hub for Circular Product Development

Circular Colorado will open NextRun, an innovation hub in Denver focused on accelerating the development of products made from recycled plastics. The hub will be located within Direct Polymers’ facility, providing direct access to recycled materials, industrial-grade equipment, and technical support. The co-location allows startups and established manufacturers to test and refine prototypes on-site, shortening the path from concept to market-ready products. NextRun will offer a full-scale production and testing environment, including shredders, extruders, injection molding machines, and 3D printers. It will supply a consistent stream of diverse, high-grade recycled plastics and create a collaborative space for companies and innovators to address technical and operational challenges. The first phase, scheduled for the second half of 2026, will focus on recycled plastics. Later phases will expand to construction and demolition waste streams, aiming to grow local markets for recycled materials and support circular economy initiatives in Colorado. (Source: Circular Colorado)

Interstate Waste Services Acquires Filco Carting to Expand NYC Operations

Interstate Waste Services, Inc. (IWS), a vertically integrated provider of waste collection, recycling, and disposal services, has acquired Filco Carting Corp., one of New York City’s longest-standing waste management companies. Founded in 1910, Filco has grown from a single horse-and-cart operation to a family-owned company with residential and commercial waste collection contracts, nearly 40 fleet vehicles, and over 100 employees. Its headquarters were recently relocated to Closter, New Jersey. The acquisition strengthens IWS’s preparedness for New York City’s Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) and integrates Filco’s operations into IWS’s broader network. It follows a series of recent acquisitions, including Diverse Recycling Solutions, Full Circle Recycling Services, Amro Carting, and select assets of Evergreen Waste and City Waste Services, reflecting IWS’s strategy to expand services while preserving local operators’ legacy and expertise. IWS operates over 1,000 collection vehicles across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, supported by 33 material recovery and transfer facilities and a rail-served landfill. (Source: Interstate Waste Services)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: December 1-5, 2025

China Issues First Batch of Streamlined Rare Earth Export Licences

China has issued the first batch of new, streamlined export licences for rare earths in fulfillment of its recent trade truce with the United States, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The licences were granted to three major Chinese magnet manufacturers: JL Mag Rare Earth, Ningbo Yunsheng, and Beijing Zhong Ke San Huan High-Tech, according to sources cited by Reuters. The move comes more than a month after China agreed to temporarily suspend its expanded rare earth export controls as part of a broader trade deal with the United States. (Source: Reuters)

EU to Curb Exports of Rare Earth Waste and Battery Scrap from 2026

The European Commission plans to restrict exports of rare earth waste and battery scrap from early 2026 as part of efforts to secure critical raw materials for electric vehicles, wind turbines and semiconductor manufacturing. The measures form part of the Commission’s REsourceEU initiative, aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act passed in 2023 and reducing dependence on any single supplier for more than 65% of key materials. Recycling rare earth waste could supply roughly 20% of the EU’s annual demand for permanent magnets, estimated at about 20,000 metric tons. Under the proposal, waste lithium-ion batteries and black mass will be classified as hazardous from September 2026, blocking shipments to non-OECD countries. The Commission estimates the EU could process 50–65% of its own black mass output, enabling production of up to one million electric-vehicle battery packs annually. The bloc plans to invest €3 billion over the next year to fast-track projects and cut single-country reliance by as much as 50% by 2029. (Source: Reuters)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: December 1-5, 2025