SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: July 20-24, 2026

July 24, 2026

Gold Holds Losses

Gold prices hovered around $4,050 per ounce on Friday, holding a nearly 2% decline in the previous session, as surging oil prices fueled by the escalating Middle East conflict strengthened the case for tighter US monetary policy. President Donald Trump warned of expanded military action against Iran and vowed to hold Tehran accountable for any future Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, helping lift Brent crude above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. Higher oil prices stoked inflation fears, boosting expectations of tighter Fed policy and pressuring non-yielding assets. Markets currently assign a 34% probability to a Fed rate hike next week, while the odds of a September increase have climbed above 78%. Meanwhile, fresh US tariffs of 10%–12.5% on imports from major trading partners added to the uncertain market backdrop. Gold is still heading for a modest weekly gain. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Holds Gains Above $57.50 Despite Rising Fed Rate Hike Odds

Silver price (XAG/USD) inches higher after registering over 4% losses in the previous day, trading around $57.60 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Friday. However, higher oil prices tied to Middle East tensions are strengthening bets on Fed rate hikes, threatening to weigh on non-yielding Silver. According to the CME FedWatch tool, money markets are currently pricing in roughly a 35.8% chance of a Fed rate hike this month, alongside an 82.1% probability of at least a quarter-point hike in September. Geopolitical tension continues to surge following reports that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militant group attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea for allegedly violating a blockade. In response, the US conducted its 13th consecutive night of military strikes on Iran. Tensions escalated further after US President Donald Trump warned of “major military punishment” for both the Houthis and Iran if attacks continue, stating he is close to deciding on a massive, unprecedented military operation against Iran. (Source: FXStreet)

Platinum Retreats From 2-Week High

Platinum futures fell below $1,600 an ounce, pulling back from a two-week high reached on July 22 and tracking losses across the precious metals complex as soaring oil prices reinforced expectations for tighter US monetary policy. Markets boosted bets on a Federal Reserve rate hike in September to above 78% after oil prices topped $100 per barrel, as tanker attacks in the Red Sea and ongoing fighting in the Middle East stoked inflation fears. Fresh US tariffs on goods from 60 trading partners added to the uncertain market backdrop. Meanwhile, underlying platinum fundamentals remain supportive, with the market forecast to post a fourth consecutive annual deficit in 2026 as constrained mine supply and declining above-ground inventories outweighed stronger recycling growth. China’s industrial policies supporting AI, electric vehicles, and clean energy, together with the launch of the first platinum investment bar series, are also expected to support long-term consumption. (Source: Trading Economics)

cylib Expands Battery Recycling Network with Bavarian Processing Facility

German battery recycling company cylib has acquired a battery pre-processing facility in Wernberg-Köblitz, Bavaria, expanding its end-to-end recycling capabilities as it prepares to scale industrial operations across Europe. The site, acquired through insolvency proceedings, has the capacity to process up to 10,000 metric tonnes of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries annually. Once operational, it will handle battery discharging, disassembly and mechanical processing, producing black mass for further refining at cylib’s hydrometallurgical plant under construction in Dormagen, Germany. Operations at the Bavarian facility are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval, with full production targeted by the end of 2027. The acquisition gives cylib a strategic presence in southern Germany’s automotive manufacturing region, strengthening access to battery feedstock from automakers and suppliers. The company said the integrated network will enable recovery of critical materials including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt and manganese while supporting Europe’s efforts to build a more resilient and circular battery supply chain. (Source: cylib)

Comstock Metals Signs Solar Recycling Agreement with Illuminate USA

Comstock Metals has signed a multi-year recycling services agreement with Illuminate USA to manage manufacturing byproducts from the company’s solar panel production facility in Pataskala, Ohio. Under the agreement, Comstock Metals will provide transportation, sorting and recycling services for a range of solar panel manufacturing materials. The company said the program is designed to divert all eligible materials from landfill by recycling them into new industrial products. Illuminate USA operates what it describes as North America’s largest single-site solar panel manufacturing facility. The partnership supports the manufacturer’s efforts to integrate more circular practices into its production operations while reducing waste. Comstock Metals said the agreement strengthens its growing recycling network in the Midwest and expands its presence in the solar recycling sector. The companies said the collaboration is intended to support a more sustainable solar supply chain by improving the recovery and reuse of manufacturing materials throughout the industry. (Source: Comstock)

YKK Develops Concept Zipper Using Recycled Textile Nonwoven Fabric

YKK has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper featuring tape made from nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing, marking a new approach to incorporating recycled textiles into garment components. The concept zipper was created in collaboration with fashion designer Yuima Nakazato and Seiko Epson Corporation. It debuted as part of Nakazato’s “INFERNO” couture collection, presented in Paris on July 8, 2026. The zipper tape is produced using nonwoven sheets regenerated through Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology, which converts discarded textiles into reusable fiber materials. YKK said the project required significant engineering work to ensure reliable attachment of zipper elements and smooth operation despite the different properties of the nonwoven material. The collaboration aims to address the growing challenge of textile waste by demonstrating new applications for recycled clothing. It also builds on YKK’s broader circular economy initiatives, including its NATULON® Fiber Sourced™ zipper, which uses recycled polyester derived from textile waste and discarded garments. (Source: YKK)

U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Exceeds 5.1 Billion Pounds in 2024

The United States recovered more than 5.1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic for recycling in 2024, marking an increase of 114.9 million pounds from 2022, according to a new study released by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and the U.S. Plastics Pact. The biennial report found that plastic film recorded the largest gain, with recovered volumes rising to 1.32 billion pounds, while recycled plastic bottles fell to 2.69 billion pounds and non-bottle rigid plastics declined slightly to 1.10 billion pounds. Despite the overall increase, the study highlighted ongoing economic challenges for recyclers, including weak demand for post-consumer recycled resin, low virgin plastic prices and high bale costs, which have constrained investment in new recycling capacity. The report also found that 94% of recovered plastics—about 4.81 billion pounds—were processed in North America, with U.S. reclaimers handling 4.35 billion pounds, underscoring the region’s established recycling infrastructure. Industry groups said stronger policy support, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and measures to increase demand for recycled plastics, will be critical to expanding recycling capacity and improving long-term market growth. (Source: APR)

Textiles Recycling Expo USA Confirms 2027 Return to Charlotte

Textiles Recycling Expo USA will return to the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina on April 7–8, 2027, following the successful launch of the event in 2026. Organizers said exhibitor demand is already strong, with 46 companies confirming participation for the next edition. Confirmed exhibitors include American Truetzschler Inc., Bank & Vogue, FIMIC, Gneuss, Looptworks, UNIFI and several other companies spanning the textile recycling value chain. The exhibition is expected to bring together brands, recyclers, manufacturers, technology providers, policymakers and investors to showcase new technologies, build partnerships and explore business opportunities in the circular textiles sector. Organizers said the event has quickly become a key platform for the North American textile recycling industry as investment, regulatory developments and innovation continue to accelerate. Companies interested in exhibiting are being encouraged to reserve booth space early as bookings continue to grow. (Source: Waste Advantage)

Coventry University Supports Project to Produce High-Grade Aluminium from Recycled Scrap

Coventry University is collaborating with aluminium foundry Alucast to develop a process for producing high-grade aluminium alloys from recycled scrap, aiming to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported primary aluminium. The project, part of the Clean Futures Programme, is exploring how end-of-life aluminium can be sourced, sorted and reprocessed to meet the stringent quality requirements of industries such as automotive and defence. Researchers at Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering have identified opportunities to recover higher-purity recycled aluminium that can be refined into materials with properties comparable to primary-grade alloys. According to Alucast, trials using alternative recycled aluminium feedstock produced mechanical properties equivalent to primary aluminium in both test samples and automotive castings. The partners said the approach could lower production costs, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen domestic supply chains by replacing energy-intensive primary aluminium with recycled material. (Source: Coventry University)

ERI and Cyclic Materials Partner to Expand Rare Earth Recovery from E-Waste

ERI and Cyclic Materials have formed a global strategic partnership to recover rare earth elements and other critical minerals from end-of-life electronics, aiming to build one of the largest rare earth recycling ecosystems in the United States. Under the agreement, ERI will use its nationwide collection network and eight U.S. recycling facilities to identify, pre-process and supply magnet-containing electronic products to Cyclic Materials for rare earth recovery. The companies have already begun qualifying high-volume product categories for commercial recycling. Recovered materials will be processed primarily at Cyclic Materials’ Arizona facility, which has the capacity to handle up to 25,000 tonnes of end-of-life components annually. In addition to rare earth elements, the recycling process will recover other valuable materials, including copper and aluminum. The partners also plan to jointly pursue commercial and government recycling contracts to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains. They said the collaboration is intended to reduce reliance on imported rare earths, improve supply chain resilience and support growing demand from industries including electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and defense. (Source: Business Wire)

Carbios Expands Biorecycling Technology to Textile Market After Demonstration Plant Milestone

Carbios has expanded its enzymatic recycling licensing offering to the textile industry after successfully completing 100 production batches at its industrial demonstration plant in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The company said the milestone confirms its technology can efficiently process complex post-consumer textile waste containing PET polyester under industrial operating conditions. According to Carbios, its enzymatic depolymerization process achieved more than 95% conversion within 24 hours, producing virgin-quality monomers comparable to those recovered from PET packaging waste. The expansion marks a significant step toward commercializing licenses for textile recycling, broadening the potential market for Carbios’ technology. The company noted that global PET polyester consumption in textiles is estimated at around 67 million tonnes annually, nearly double the size of the PET packaging market. Carbios said the results demonstrate the maturity and versatility of its recycling process, enabling the treatment of a wide range of PET waste streams from both packaging and textiles while supporting the development of a more circular plastics and textiles industry. (Source: Carbios)

Bangladesh Plans Nationwide EV Charging Network and First Battery Recycling Plant by 2030

Bangladesh is preparing to expand its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and establish its first EV battery recycling facility by 2030 as part of a broader strategy to promote cleaner transportation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The proposed Tk253.5 million ($2.1 million) initiative, developed by the Road Transport and Highways Division with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), includes high-capacity charging stations for electric buses, solar-powered charging facilities for motorcycles and three-wheelers, and workforce training programs. A key component of the project is the construction of the country’s first EV battery recycling and disposal plant at a Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) depot in Gazipur. The facility is intended to recover valuable materials from spent batteries while reducing environmental risks associated with battery waste. The government has also set a target of installing 1,200 commercial EV charging stations by 2030. The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to improve urban air quality, expand renewable energy use and strengthen its domestic electric mobility industry through supportive policies and investment. (Source: The Climate Watch)

Canada Tightens Criminal Code to Combat Copper Theft

Canada has introduced tougher legal measures to address copper theft under the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14), which took effect on July 15, 2026. The reforms strengthen penalties for crimes targeting critical infrastructure and are intended to deter repeat offenders and organized criminal activity. The updated legislation adds theft and mischief involving essential infrastructure as an aggravating factor during sentencing, reflecting growing concerns over copper theft from power grids, telecommunications networks, rail systems and construction sites. The reforms also expand reverse onus provisions for bail in certain cases and require courts to place greater emphasis on public safety and an accused’s criminal history. The government said the changes recognize the broader economic and public safety impacts of copper theft, including service disruptions and costly infrastructure damage. Industry stakeholders noted that stronger enforcement, combined with robust supplier verification and material tracking by legitimate recyclers, will help curb illegal scrap metal trade and protect Canada’s critical infrastructure as demand for copper continues to rise. (Source: Canada.ca)