SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: February 2-6, 2026

February 06, 2026

Gold Sticks to Modest Intraday Gains; Remains Below $4,900 Amid Mixed Cues

Gold (XAU/USD) sticks to an intraday positive bias through the first half of the European session on Friday, though it remains below the $4,900 mark amid mixed cues. A turnaround in the global risk sentiment drives flow toward traditional safe-haven assets and acts as a tailwind for the commodity ahead of the US-Iran nuclear talks. Furthermore, bets on more interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2026, bolstered by signs of weakness in the US job market, turn out to be other factors supporting the non-yielding yellow metal. Adding to this, the emergence of some US Dollar (USD) selling provides an additional lift to the precious metal. Meanwhile, the White House said that diplomacy is US President Donald Trump's first choice for dealing with Iran, though it warned that he has military options at his disposal. This keeps geopolitical risks in play and further underpins the safe-haven Gold. However, expectations that the incoming Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, will be less dovish might cap the non-yielding yellow metal, warranting some caution for bullish traders. (Source: FXStreet)

Silver Whipsaws in Volatile Trade

Silver rose more than 3% to above $73 per ounce on Friday after plunging nearly 10% earlier in the session, with volatility surging to levels last seen in 1980. Price swings in the metal have been far more extreme than in gold, reflecting silver’s smaller market size, thinner liquidity, and heavy speculative positioning. Still, silver is on track for a second consecutive weekly decline and remains about 40% below its Jan. 29 peak. Silver and other precious metals had rallied to record highs in January on heightened geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty, and concerns over the US Federal Reserve’s independence that boosted safe-haven demand. Speculative buying, particularly from Chinese traders, added froth to the rally, leaving prices vulnerable to a sharp reversal as sentiment turned. Pressure on precious metals intensified further after a sharp rebound in the dollar following the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, widely seen as the more hawkish choice. (Source: Trading Economics)

Copper Falls to Six-Week Low

Copper fell to around $5.77 per pound on Friday, hitting its lowest level in nearly six weeks, and on track for its worst week since late November, pressured by slowing demand from Chinese buyers and rising inventories. Reports showed that key consumer China had reduced purchases by fabricators and manufacturers as firms gradually pulled back ahead of the Chinese holidays. Stockpiles in LME warehouses across Asia are also climbing, further signaling softer demand. Analysts say the trend could accelerate as traders divert shipments from Africa to China to take advantage of temporary price gaps between Shanghai and London. Market sentiment was further weighed down after the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association projected that refined copper output will rise about 5% in 2026, half the growth recorded in 2025. (Source: Trading Economics)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: February 2-6, 2026

R3 Robotics Raises €20 Million to Scale Automated EV System Disassembly

R3 Robotics said it has secured €20 million in combined financing to industrialize automated disassembly of electric vehicle systems, as recycling and reuse needs grow across Europe’s EV sector. The funding includes €14 million in Series A investment co-led by HG Ventures and Suma Capital, with participation from the European Innovation Council Fund, Oetker Collection and existing investors, alongside €6 million in European grants. The raise coincides with the company’s rebrand from Circu Li-ion to R3 Robotics. R3 said the rebrand reflects an expanded focus beyond battery disassembly to the automated dismantling of full EV systems, including electric drivetrains, power electronics and other high-value components. The company aims to develop robotics-based processes that enable repair, reuse and recycling at an industrial scale. R3 said the capital will support technology development and deployment as it works toward fully automated vehicle system disassembly. (Source: HG Ventures)

Agilyx, ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell to Split Up Chemical Recycling Joint Venture

Norway-based Agilyx announced it has agreed to a memorandum of understanding with ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell, its joint venture partners in plastics recycling company Cyclyx International, to split up ownership of two planned circularity centers in Texas. The news comes a few days after Agilyx said it would restructure its U.S.-based chemical recycling business and will assume full ownership of Cyclyx International by March 25. A planned circularity center in the Dallas-Fort Worth area “will be fully owned by Agilyx,” the company announced on Thursday. That’s a change from Agilyx’s previous announcement earlier this week that it would “unwind” its plans to invest in that facility in an effort to recover a $50 million senior secured bond. ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell will now jointly own the Houston circularity center, according to the Thursday announcement. (Source: Waste Dive)

Aqua Metals, American Battery Factory Explore Co-Located Battery Recycling in Arizona

Aqua Metals and American Battery Factory (ABF) said they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to evaluate a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening a domestic, circular supply chain for battery materials. Under the proposal, Aqua Metals would assess building a commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility adjacent to ABF’s planned lithium iron phosphate battery cell plant in Tucson, Arizona. The facility would process manufacturing scrap generated by ABF and return battery-grade lithium carbonate for reuse in U.S. battery production. The companies said the approach is intended to reduce reliance on exporting battery scrap and black mass to overseas processors, improve logistics efficiency and enhance supply chain resilience. Recycling would use Aqua Metals’ electricity-powered AquaRefining technology rather than conventional furnace- or chemical-intensive methods. The parties will also evaluate a recycling plant capable of handling up to 10,000 metric tons of material annually, with potential operations beginning in 2028, subject to approvals. (Source: Aqua Metals)

Polystyrene Recycling Alliance Partners With R3vira to Boost Recycling in Mexico City

The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) said it has formed a strategic partnership with Mexico City–based recycler R3vira to expand polystyrene recycling capacity in the region, supporting broader efforts to build a circular economy for the material. Under the collaboration, R3vira will double the reach of its community-based “peque-ruta” collection system from 12 to 24 micro-routes by 2026, increasing recovery of high-impact polystyrene and expanded polystyrene across the city. PSRA said its investment will fund infrastructure upgrades, including densification equipment, warehouse expansion and workforce development across all 16 boroughs of Mexico City. Recovered material will be processed through R3vira’s existing partnership with Resirene to produce FDA-approved recycled polystyrene resin for use in new packaging applications. The partners said the initiative demonstrates how targeted investment, local collection models and reliable end markets can scale polystyrene recycling in major urban centers. (Source: Plastics Industry Association)

Polypropylene Cold Cups Gain Widely Recyclable Status in the U.S.

Polypropylene cold beverage cups have earned a “Widely Recyclable” designation from How2Recycle, expanding curbside or drop-off recycling access to more than 60% of U.S. households, according to industry groups involved in the effort. The designation reflects collaboration among How2Recycle, the NextGen Consortium managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, The Recycling Partnership, Starbucks and waste management company WM. Organizers said recycling access for the cups has expanded to more than 2 million additional households in recent months, continuing a multi-year increase. Polypropylene is widely used in foodservice packaging but has historically lagged behind other plastics in recycling rates. Industry data shows households generate similar volumes of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, though polypropylene is recycled at a significantly lower rate. Partners said aligning packaging design, recycling infrastructure and consumer education was critical to achieving broader acceptance. (Source: Business Wire)

Eco-Products Launches Sustainable Foodservice Packaging Range in the UK

Eco-Products, a U.S.-based provider of environmentally responsible foodservice packaging, said it has officially launched its products in the United Kingdom, expanding its European presence through a partnership with UK-based Vegware. The company’s portfolio of reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging will be distributed locally by Vegware, its sister company. Eco-Products said the move builds on its European operations, where it has served customers across the EU since 2017. Demand for sustainable packaging solutions continues to rise as foodservice operators seek to meet waste reduction and recycling goals, company executives said. The UK range includes reusable products designed for closed-loop systems, recyclable cups compatible with local recycling infrastructure, and compostable items intended for industrial composting. Eco-Products, a certified B Corporation, said the partnership will provide UK customers with locally supported access to its established packaging designs and sustainability-focused services. (Source: PR Newswire)

Cascades Sells Richmond, B.C., Packaging Plant to Crown Paper Group

Cascades Inc. said it has agreed to sell its corrugated packaging plant in Richmond, British Columbia, to Crown Paper Group for $65.5 million, including real estate assets, as the company continues to streamline operations and reduce debt. The transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions and working capital adjustments, is expected to be completed in the coming days. Cascades said the Richmond facility offered limited operational synergies within its network but aligns closely with Crown’s existing footprint in the region. Crown, which has a long-established presence in British Columbia and operates an integrated containerboard mill in Washington state, said the acquisition will support further integration of its mill and box operations. Cascades said it will work with Crown to ensure an orderly transition for employees, customers and suppliers. Cascades’ chief executive said the sale supports the company’s strategy of focusing capital on core markets. (Source: Cascades)

ORBIS Acquires Robinson Industries to Expand Thermoforming Capabilities

ORBIS Corporation said it has acquired Robinson Industries, strengthening its manufacturing portfolio and expanding its capabilities in thermoformed reusable packaging solutions. Robinson Industries, founded in the 1940s and based in Coleman, Michigan, specializes in single- and twin-sheet thermoforming, sheet extrusion and structural foam injection molding. Its products include custom pallets, lids and trays used primarily in automotive packaging, with additional applications in industrial, agricultural and retail supply chains. The transaction adds two manufacturing facilities in Michigan to ORBIS’ network and brings about 100 employees into the company. Robinson will transition to the ORBIS brand following the acquisition. ORBIS said the deal enhances its proximity to the Detroit automotive market and supports faster design, prototyping and production for customers. The company said the acquisition aligns with its strategy to scale sustainable, reusable packaging solutions across global supply chains. (Source: ORBIS)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: February 2-6, 2026

Malaysia Imposes Ban on E-Waste Imports

Malaysia has imposed a ban on imports of electronic waste, as it looks to tighten controls on the entry of hazardous materials and safeguard the environment, the head of the country’s anti-graft body said. The Southeast Asian nation is among the world’s top destinations for plastic waste and other scrap, but has struggled to fend off a deluge of generally illegal unrecyclable garbage. Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Azam Baki, who chairs a government taskforce on the issue, said e-waste would be reclassified under the “Absolute Prohibition” category in customs regulations effective immediately. “E-waste is no longer allowed to enter the country and strict enforcement will be needed involving all agencies,” Azam said in a statement on Wednesday. The taskforce is also discussing a proposal for a three-month moratorium on the importation of plastic waste, he said. (Source: Reuters)

BIR Submits Objections to EU Review of Aluminium Scrap Trade Measures

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has formally submitted its response to a European Commission consultation on aluminium scrap availability, opposing potential trade measures such as export restrictions, the organization said. BIR said the recycling industry supports the EU’s circular economy and decarbonization objectives but argued that limits on scrap exports are unnecessary and could harm the recycling value chain. Citing the Commission’s own monitoring data, BIR said there is no evidence of structural “scrap leakage,” noting that the EU already generates more aluminium scrap than domestic smelters can absorb economically. According to BIR, restricting exports would distort markets, depress recycled metal prices and undermine the financial viability of recycling operations, weakening collection incentives and investment. The group warned that such outcomes could increase the risk of unmanaged waste streams. BIR urged policymakers to focus instead on measures such as improving energy affordability, regulatory harmonization and incentives for recycled content. (Source: BIR)

Japan Signals Next Steps on Recycled Plastic Use in Packaging

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has made public presentation materials from a government taskforce focused on plastic container and packaging resource circulation in the food sector, signalling continued policy activity ahead of wider national efforts to embed circular economy requirements in packaging design and recycling. The materials relate to the fourth meeting of the taskforce, which discussed industry and supply-side perspectives on expanding the use of recycled plastics and reducing waste in food packaging. This disclosure comes as Japan prepares to implement new national rules on packaging design and recycled content that will affect manufacturers and supply chains later in 2026. (Source: GlobalData)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: February 2-6, 2026