SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: June 16-20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Gold Prices Sink as Trump Postpones Iran Strike Decision by Two Weeks

Gold prices fell in Asian trade on Friday, reflecting some improvement in risk appetite after comments from the White House suggested that a U.S. strike on Iran, over the Israel conflict, was not imminent. The yellow metal remained on the backfoot following hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve earlier this week, which buoyed the dollar. While the dollar did pull back slightly on Friday, it was set for weekly gains. Strength in the dollar also cut short a recent rally in platinum prices, which saw the white metal hit an over four-year high. Spot gold fell 0.5% to $3,353.17 an ounce, while gold futures for August slid 1.1% to $3,369.40/oz by 00:58 ET (04:58 GMT). (Source: Investing.com)

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Dives to over One-Week Low, Further Below $36.00

Silver (XA/USD) is seen prolonging its retracement slide from the highest level since February 2012 touched earlier this week and losing ground for the third consecutive day on Friday. The downward trajectory drags the white metal to over a one-week low, around the $35.65 area during the Asian session. (Source: FXStreet)

Copper Prices Range-Bound on Geopolitical Uncertainty

The most-traded copper contract prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and London Metals Exchange were range-bound on Friday, as market sentiment was mixed amid ongoing uncertainty over the Israel-Iran conflict. The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange eased 0.1% to 78,400 yuan ($10,907.07) per metric ton as of 0103GMT, up 0.04% on the week, while three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange gained 0.3% to $9,641 a ton and was little changed on the week. China’s refined copper output in May gained 13.6% on the year to 1.25 million metric tons, data on Wednesday showed, in line with April’s output, while the country’s demand for metals such as copper and aluminium has been muted by summer seasonal weakness. (Source: Reuters)

Citi Sees Gold Price Falling Below $3,000 as Rally Fades

Citigroup Inc. expects gold prices to decline below $3,000 an ounce in the coming quarters, forecasting a cooldown after this year’s record-setting run. The bank cites weakening investment demand, improving economic prospects, and anticipated US interest rate cuts as key drivers of the expected pullback. In a recent report, Citigroup analysts led by Max Layton predicted that gold will fall to a range of $2,500 to $2,700 an ounce by the second half of 2026. The outlook contrasts sharply with bullish forecasts from other major financial institutions. Goldman Sachs projects gold to reach $3,700 by late 2025 and $4,000 by mid-2026, citing robust central bank buying. Similarly, Bank of America sees prices climbing to $4,000 within the next year. (Source: Bloomberg)

Attero to Invest Rs 100 Crore to Scale up Rare Earth Recycling Capacity to 30,000 Tonnes

E-waste recycling company Attero plans to invest Rs 100 crore to scale up its rare earth recycling capacity to 30,000 tonnes from 300 tonnes over the next 12 to 24 months, a top official of the firm said on Thursday. China in April imposed restrictions on exports of rare earth, a critical mineral used in the manufacturing of electronic, automobile and other technology products. Attero CEO and Co-Founder Nitin Gupta told PTI that the investment is in line with demand in the market for rare earth magnets, for which industries in India and across the world like electronics, automobile etc are entirely dependent on supplies from China. The company will focus on the extraction of rare earth minerals such as Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), and Dysprosium (Dy) with over 98 percent efficiency and 99.9 percent purity. These are essential to key sectors including electric vehicles, wind energy, and consumer electronics. (Source: The Economic Times)

Prism Worldwide Unveils Breakthrough Technologies

Prism Worldwide announced a trio of groundbreaking innovations poised to transform the recycling and sustainable materials industries. Its new technology suite includes: Odor-Reduced Tire Materials: Prism’s proprietary odor-reduction process resolves one of the most persistent issues in rubber recycling. Historically, strong and lingering odors have limited the use of recycled tire materials in indoor environments. Now, thanks to the company’s innovation, validated in an independent lab to automotive-grade odor panel testing and VOC requirements, its materials meet the requirements for automotive interiors, consumer products, building materials, and other odor-sensitive applications. Sustainable TPV from End-of-Life Tires: In an industry first, Prism has developed a patent-pending sustainable TPV where the rubber portion is derived from end-of-life tire materials. Prism’s technology will allow TPV manufacturers to offer sustainable solutions in extremely valuable polymers. High-Content Recycled EPDM: EPDM rubber is widely used in automotive weatherstripping and gaskets, roofing, and industrial applications, but it is difficult to recycle because it is crosslinked. Prism’s patent-pending devulcanization process makes it possible to reuse EPDM at high content levels while delivering on key physical performance properties. This not only reduces material costs, but also significantly improves the sustainability profile of industries that rely on EPDM. (Source: PR Newswire)

ENGIE and SOLARCYCLE Announce Innovative “Precycling” Collaboration to Incorporate Circularity into Domestic Solar Projects

ENGIE North America (ENGIE) announced that as part of an increasing approach to circularity, it will pilot a new precycling provision to incorporate solar panel and project component recycling into initial agreements at four projects. The innovative approach was developed in cooperation with SOLARCYCLE, a leading technology-based solar panel recycler. The precycling provision incorporates recycling into power purchase agreements and helps developers incorporate end-of-life material recycling at the start of the project’s lifecycle. This is especially relevant for energy buyers focused on project circularity and sustainability goals. The agreements ensure that around one million panels from 375 megawatts (MW) of projects across the Midwest will be recycled when they reach the end of their life, supporting full circularity of the projects. SOLARCYCLE estimates that by doing so, the company will divert 48 million pounds of material from landfill and avoid some 33,000 tons of carbon emissions. Additionally, to the maximum degree possible, all construction waste and system components will be recycled. (Source: ENGIE North America)

Ace Green Recycling and Enecell Announce Strategic Agreement to Advance Sustainable Battery Recycling in Australia

Ace Green Recycling announced its signing of a collaboration agreement with The Owens Group (WA) Pty Ltd (Enecell), a leading lead battery recycler based in Perth, Australia, to advance sustainable battery recycling opportunities in Australia. As part of the collaboration, Ace has secured a master offtake agreement whereby Enecell will sell 100% of its recycled lead material from its battery breaking recycling facility in Perth, Australia to the Company for resale by Ace. Ace plans to market the lead battery material purchased from Enecell to the Company’s global network. The offtake agreement has an initial term of 10 years, with the opportunity to renew. Enecell’s Perth facility has a current processing capacity of more than 33 million pounds of intermediary recycled lead products and the master offtake agreement covers any future expansions or modifications at the facility, including lead refining, casting, and alloying capabilities and lithium battery processing. (Source: PR Newswire)

Nippon Steel Completes $14.9B US Steel Takeover

Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel, ending an 18-month political and regulatory battle. The $55-a-share transaction makes Nippon the world’s second-largest steelmaker by output. The deal had faced strong resistance from US labour unions and political leaders, including former President Joe Biden. It was revived under Donald Trump’s administration, which initiated a new national security review. That review resulted in the creation of a “golden share,” giving the US government sweeping veto power over key decisions such as plant closures, production cuts, and job relocations. The arrangement was first revealed in a weekend social media post by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. (Source: Mining)

Tata Steel Nederland Joins LESS

Tata Steel Nederland has become a full member of the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS), the independent non-profit organisation that promotes the transition of the steel industry to climate neutrality. LESS, established one year ago, promotes the development of low-emission steel standardisation and the associated labelling system. For Tata Steel, the membership strengthens its position as a leader in the European steel industry in the field of low-emission steel production, the company tells Kallanish. This development brings LESS to a new level of representation, with almost one-third of European steel production now participating in the association, the organisation says. Tata Steel Nederland chief executive Hans van den Berg underlines that the company supports the objectives of LESS and the development of independent standards. “This standardisation helps customers, policymakers, and the rest of the value chain to build confidence in sustainable steel products,” he notes. The certifiable standard for low-CO₂ steel provided by LESS allows consumers and markets to determine the contribution a product makes to the sustainability transition, he adds. (Source: Eurometal)

Alstom and Outokumpu in Partnership for the Supply of Low-Emission Stainless Steel for Metro Cars

Alstom and Outokumpu have entered a partnership for the supply of stainless steel with up to 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average. The first delivery of Outokumpu Circle Green® stainless steel is scheduled for 2026 and will be used in the latest generation of the Alstom Metropolis metro trains. The collaboration aligns with Alstom’s eco-design principles as well as its sustainable procurement strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from purchased goods and services by 2030. (Source: Alstom)

Electra and Three Fires Group Advance Canada’s First Indigenous-Led Battery Recycling Venture

Electra Battery Materials Corporation and the Three Fires Group announced significant progress on the Aki Battery Recycling joint venture, the first Indigenous-led lithium-ion battery recycling initiative in Canada. Aki is pioneering a low-emission, circular solution for managing battery waste, strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on offshore processing. Since launching the joint venture in 2024, key milestones and strategic developments include: Formal establishment of Canada’s first Indigenous-led lithium-ion battery recycling venture, with Reggie George appointed as President and Andre Marais as Director of Strategy & Corporate Development. Shortlisting of technology partners following site visits and comprehensive due diligence on advanced battery recycling platforms. Ongoing engagement with government partners to secure funding for a bankable feasibility study. Evaluation of prospective sites, with plans to co-locate or near-locate the facility alongside lithium-ion battery manufacturers and on or near First Nations lands to maximize regional impact. Integration with Electra’s hydrometallurgical refinery, enabling local processing of black mass into battery-grade materials for OEMs, establishing a fully Canadian closed-loop supply chain. (Source: Electra Battery Materials)

Canada Could Slap More Duties on US Steel and Aluminum, Says Carney

Canada could increase counter-tariffs on US-produced steel and aluminum if it does not reach a broader trade deal with President Donald Trump within 30 days, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday. Trump increased import duties on steel and aluminum to 50% from 25% earlier this month, prompting industry calls for an official response. Trump’s move could hurt Canada, which is the largest seller of the metals to the US. Carney said on Monday he had agreed with Trump that the two nations should try to wrap up a new economic and security deal by July 21. (Source: Reuters)

India Restricts Import of Gold Infused Metals

India has imposed curbs on imports of palladium, rhodium and iridium alloys containing more than 1% gold by weight, the government said on Thursday. The government also restricted imports of colloidal metals and certain chemical compounds to prevent gold from entering the country disguised as chemical imports, it said in a statement. (Source: Reuters)

Connecticut Enacts Battery Recycling Law To Reduce Fire Risk And Improve Public Safety

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 5019 into law, establishing Public Act 25-34, a statewide extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries. The law requires battery producers—not taxpayers—to fund and manage a system for collecting and recycling batteries sold in Connecticut, reducing fire risks, protecting workers, recovering valuable materials, and saving municipalities and taxpayers thousands of dollars. Connecticut now joins California, Washington, Vermont, Illinois, Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota in enacting an EPR law that covers both single-use and rechargeable batteries. The law applies to consumer portable batteries and medium format batteries, such as those used in devices like remotes, laptops, tools, e-bikes, and scooters. (Source: PSI)