SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: January 19-23, 2026

January 23, 2026

Gold Hits New Record Peak

Gold advanced above $4,950 per ounce on Friday, setting a new record and on track for its strongest week since March 2020, supported by lingering geopolitical risks and a weaker dollar. President Trump said he secured permanent US access to Greenland in a deal with NATO, though details remain unclear and Denmark reaffirmed its sovereignty. Trump also canceled planned tariffs on European imports, while the EU said it would suspend threatened countermeasures but seeks clarity on his intentions. On the economic front, both headline and core US PCE rose as expected, indicating that disinflation continues even as activity remains firm. Markets are pricing in two interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this year. Investors are awaiting Trump’s choice for the next Fed chair after he completed candidate interviews, with a more dovish appointment likely to further boost expectations for additional rate cuts. (Source: Trading Economics)

Goldman Sachs Raises 2026-End Gold Price Forecast by $500 to $5,400/oz

Goldman Sachs has raised its end-2026 gold price forecast to $5,400 per ounce from $4,900/oz earlier, noting private-sector and emerging market central banks’ diversification into gold. (Source: Reuters)

Silver Hits Fresh All-Time High

Silver jumped nearly 3% toward $99 per ounce on Friday, reaching new record highs as a weakening dollar provided additional support to the rally in precious metals. Investors sought real assets as the dollar suffered from shifting US-Europe geopolitical dynamics over Greenland and growing concerns that Europe could weaponize its substantial US asset holdings. Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week, supported by signs of a resilient economy, though markets continue to price in two potential rate cuts later this year. President Donald Trump is expected to select the next Fed chair after completing interviews with candidates, with a more dovish appointee likely strengthening expectations for further easing. The rally in silver has also been fueled by a historic short squeeze and strong retail buying, as well as China's tightening export controls. (Source: Trading Economics)

Copper Rises as Dollar Weakens

Copper futures climbed above $5.8 per pound on Friday, rebounding from multi-week lows and tracking gains across the broader metals complex as the dollar weakened. Demand for real assets increased as shifting US-Europe geopolitical dynamics involving Greenland weighed on the greenback, alongside concerns that Europe could weaponize its substantial holdings of US assets. Supply risks also supported prices after a major Chilean copper mine halted production due to a strike, likely offsetting Freeport McMoRan’s progress in restarting operations at Indonesia’s Grasberg mine. On the demand side, strong consumption linked to the global transition toward renewable energy and a surge in shipments to the US ahead of potential tariffs underpinned prices. Meanwhile, Chinese smelters have ramped up exports through deliveries to LME warehouses this year, as higher global prices and ongoing property sector strains in China encouraged outbound shipments. (Source: Trading Economics)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: January 19-23, 2026

Metallium Announces Completion of A$75 Million Strategic Capital Raise Led by U.S. Institution

Metallium Ltd. announced the completion of an A$75 million strategic capital raise, led by U.S.-based investors with dedicated mandates focused on critical minerals, recycling technologies, and U.S. domestic processing capacity. The raise is timed to support U.S. commissioning and commercial scale-up of the company's first commercial facility, Gator Point Technology Campus in Texas, and support of the company’s ADR (American Depository Receipt) trading on the OTCQX, in advance of a planned NASDAQ listing later this year. The funding was completed at an issue price of A$0.84 per share, representing an 8.7% discount to the company’s last closing price and an 8.8% discount to the 5-day, volume-weighted average price (VWAP). The transaction materially increases U.S. institutional participation on Metallium's share register and reflects growing investor interest in U.S.-based critical metals processing and technology platforms. (Source: Metallium Ltd.)

JOCO and WALTER Launch New York City’s First E-Mobility Recycling Program

JOCO, a New York City-based e-mobility platform for last-mile delivery, has partnered with Brooklyn recycling social enterprise WALTER to launch the city’s first community-powered recycling program for e-mobility equipment in the United States. The initiative establishes a local system to safely collect and recycle e-bike components and batteries from JOCO’s warehouse and fleet facilities across New York City. Operations are handled in Brooklyn and are designed to address the growing environmental footprint of last-mile delivery while creating paid employment opportunities for young adults from underserved communities, including Brownsville. WALTER services JOCO sites twice weekly, processing six waste streams such as metals, plastics and batteries. Since pilot operations began less than six months ago, the program has recycled nearly 24,000 pounds of material and avoided more than 168,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the partners said. The companies said the model aims to link urban decarbonization efforts with inclusive workforce development. (Source: PR Newswire)

Groundbreaking Ceremony for First Food-grade PET Plastic Recycling Facility in Pursat, Cambodia

A1 Plastics Resources Limited (A1 Plastics) broke ground on their project – the first international food-grade plastics recycling facility in Krakor, Pursat Province, Cambodia. Located in the Pursat Special Economic Zone, this facility will utilise state-of-the-art technology to ensure the highest quality products. Set to open in Q4 of 2026, the facility will be able to process and recycle up to 44,000 metric tonnes of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic on an annual basis, according to reports. The initial operation will consist of two production lines; a washing line to create food-grade PET flakes and a pelletising line to convert the washed PET flakes into reusable pellets. The facility will cover a total area of 45,000 square metres, with a factory space of 12,000 square metres and a large section earmarked for future expansion. (Source: Cambodia Investment Review)

Lummus Takes Stake in InnoVent to Scale Tire Recycling Technology

Lummus Technology has made a strategic equity investment in InnoVent Renewables to accelerate global deployment of InnoVent’s tire recycling technology, the companies said. The move builds on a partnership formed in 2025, when Lummus became the exclusive global licensor of InnoVent’s tire pyrolysis process. The technology converts end-of-life tires into products such as pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black, gas, and steel, offering an alternative to landfilling as more than one billion tires are discarded worldwide each year. Lummus said the investment reflects its focus on scalable circular technologies and will support faster market adoption through its licensing and engineering network. InnoVent operates a commercial plant in Monterrey with capacity to process about one million passenger tires annually, which the investment is expected to expand. (Source: Lummus Technology)

Novelis Latchford Commissions New Bag Houses to Boost UK Recycling Capacity

Novelis Latchford has achieved a major milestone in its expansion project: the commissioning of new bag houses. This development marks a critical step toward doubling the site’s capacity to recycle used beverage cans (UBCs) and supporting the UK’s upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The $90 million investment announced last year is transforming Latchford into a state-of-the-art recycling hub. Once fully operational, the site will be able to process 100% of the aluminium cans collected under the future UK DRS, ensuring a truly local, circular aluminium economy. The new bag houses are part of a broader upgrade that includes a dedicated dross house and advanced technologies for shredding, sorting, de-coating, and melting. Together, these enhancements will increase annual recycling capacity by 85 kilotonnes, reduce carbon emissions by more than 350,000 tonnes CO₂e per year across Novelis Europe, and deliver aluminium with even higher recycled content. (Source: Novelis)

Cards Recycling, Live Oak Combine to Launch Ecowaste Solutions Platform

Cards Recycling and Live Oak Environmental have merged to form Ecowaste Solutions, creating a regional waste services provider backed by private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, the companies said. The combined business is headquartered in Dallas and brings together collection and post-collection operations across nine U.S. states, including Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Kinderhook completed the transaction through a single-asset continuation vehicle, placing both companies under a new fund established to integrate their operations. Ecowaste Chief Executive Dustin Reynolds said the new platform is designed to scale with Kinderhook’s continued support and fresh growth capital, enabling further geographic expansion and investment in assets and personnel. Kinderhook said the merger creates an integrated waste management platform with meaningful scale and acquisition capacity. The firm noted that Cards and Live Oak completed more than 35 add-on acquisitions prior to the combination, establishing strong regional positions. Ecowaste marks Kinderhook’s ninth platform investment in the solid waste sector. (Source: PR Newswire)

ATALCO Secures Investment from US, Pinnacle Affiliate to Boost Alumina, Gallium Output

Atlantic Alumina Company said the U.S. government and a Pinnacle Asset Management affiliate have invested more than $450 million in the alumina ‌producer to boost domestic output and build the country’s first large-scale primary gallium production circuit. The U.S. Department of War has invested $150 million ‌in preferred equity, while Pinnacle’s affiliate, Concord Resources Holdings, has put in more than $300 million in private capital, Atlantic Alumina, or ATALCO. (Source: Reuters)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: January 19-23, 2026

MACC Intensifies Probe Into Illegal E-Waste Imports

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said it will step up investigations into the illegal importation of electronic waste after intelligence indicated that 2,000 to 3,000 containers were smuggled into Malaysia through major ports. Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya said the scale of the activity posed a serious environmental risk if not decisively addressed. Authorities believe foreign-owned companies imported e-waste, plastic, and paper under the pretext of recycling, extracting valuable metals such as copper and gold before disposing of residual waste through burning, burial, or dumping. The commission said it could not rule out the involvement of officials tasked with preventing illegal waste imports. A 12-agency special task force has been formed to review laws and tighten enforcement at entry points, with the aim of closing loopholes exploited by smugglers. (Source: BusinessToday Malaysia)

Ghana Moves to License Informal Scrap Metal Trade

The government of Ghana is rolling out a licensing regime to regulate its largely informal scrap metal trade, aiming to curb infrastructure theft, improve data collection, and secure raw materials for domestic steelmakers. The policy, developed by the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation, has received ministerial approval and is entering phased implementation following consultations with traders, smelters, and state agencies. Officials say weak oversight has allowed unchecked trading and contributed to theft of public assets such as drain covers and electrical cables. Under the framework, all participants in the scrap value chain will require licenses, with enforcement involving customs, police, and tax authorities. Steel producers will be required to buy only from licensed dealers. GIISDEC estimates scrap supplies about 80% of inputs for local steel production, including at firms such as B5 Plus, making regulation critical to industrial stability. (Source: GhanaWeb)

EU Invests €6 Million in Piloting a Deposit-Return System for Used Textiles

A new EU-funded project has been launched to develop a deposit-return system for used textiles across Europe. The TexMat initiative will reward consumers for returning reusable and recyclable items, while notifying producers when discarded textiles require waste management. Automated collection containers will sort items by assessing their quality and capturing key information about the materials through digital product passports, set to be introduced across the EU in the near future. Europe faces a growing challenge with textile waste. In 2022, an estimated 6.94 million tonnes were generated—roughly 16 kg per person. Of this, around 11 kg per person was not separately collected and typically ends up mixed with household waste destined for landfill or incineration. The TexMat solution aims to change this by ensuring that the vast majority of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling, so that only a tiny fraction risks being wasted, while supporting extended producer responsibility policies. Pilot activities in Finland and Spain will test the system in real-world settings, helping partners refine the innovations and explore how the system could be scaled across Europe. (Source: European Commission)

Italy Backs Low-Emission Stainless Steel Output in 2026 Budget

Italy has approved a new support measure in its 2026 budget to sustain domestic low-emission stainless steel production based on scrap, according to an Italian Senate document. The scheme allocates €35 million ($41.2 million) in public funding for 2026–2028 and is designed to promote low-carbon production processes while easing competitive pressure from imports. Acciai Speciali Terni (AST), part of the Arvedi, is expected to be the main beneficiary, industry sources said. Eligibility requires that at least 90% of inputs consist of stainless steel scrap, with a lower threshold of 70% for certain special grades, alongside energy-efficiency conditions. Both flat and long products qualify, as benchmarks are set per tonne of steel. AST recently commissioned a new slab walking beam furnace at its plant in Terni, which Arvedi founder Giovanni Arvedi said would cut emissions while maintaining product quality. (Source: EuroMetal)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: January 19-23, 2026