SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: June 23-27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Gold Price Struggles Below $3,300 Mark, Four-Week Low Amid Positive Risk Tone

Gold price (XAU/USD) drops to a four-week low, around the $3,290 region during the Asian session on Friday as traders keenly await the release of the US Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index. The crucial US inflation data will be looked upon for cues about the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy outlook. This, in turn, will play a key role in influencing the near-term US Dollar (USD) price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the non-yielding yellow metal. (Source: FXStreet)

Gold Price Outlook: Yellow Metal Tumbles over Rs 1,000 as Global Equities Rebound

After a surge backed by a weak US dollar, gold August futures contracts at MCX opened significantly lower on Friday as easing geopolitical tensions and a recovery in global equities weighed on the demand for yellow metal. The prices of gold today fell by Rs 1,051 or 1.08% to Rs 96,036/10 grams on the MCX. Meanwhile, silver July futures contracts also opened lower by Rs 555 or 0.52% at Rs 1,06,200/kg. (Source: The Economic Times)

Copper Price Surges to Highest Since March Record

US prices jump more than 3%, opening up massive $1,500 per tonne gap between US and LME copper prices with Goldman Sachs predicting more gains to come. Copper for delivery in September rose more than 3% to a high of $5.1650 per pound or $11,367 per tonne in early trading on the Comex market on Thursday as US markets pull in buyers ahead of likely tariffs. In February, the White House directed the US Commerce Department to investigate the need for import tariffs on the bellwether metal, with a report due within 270 days. That triggered a surge in US-bound shipments. Pre-emptive buying in the US opened up a massive gap between US and London Metal Exchange prices. Benchmark 3-month copper rose a more modest 1.7% to $9,888 per tonne on the LME in early trading in London on Thursday. In a note quoted by Bloomberg, investment bank Goldman Sachs said it expected LME prices to rise to a 2025 peak of roughly $10,050 a tonne in August, as supplies outside the US continue to tighten. (Source: Bloomberg)

Platinum Price Surges to 11-Year High on Supply Concerns

Platinum soared to its highest level since 2014 on Thursday, fueled by supply concerns and a wave of speculative buying. By midday, the precious metal had gained nearly 5% to trade at $1,406 an ounce, after hitting a fresh 11-year high of $1,416 earlier. Palladium also jumped by 4.8% to about $1,111 an ounce. Earlier this month, platinum surged past the $1,200-an-ounce mark for the first time in four years amid signs of growing market tightness. “The recent surge in Chinese investment and jewelry replacement is shining a spotlight on platinum’s supply deficit,” Justin Lin, an analyst at Global X ETFs, told Bloomberg. (Source: Bloomberg)

State of Utah Renews 5-Year Electronics Recycling Contract with Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR)

Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is proud to announce it has been awarded a second consecutive 5-year statewide contract (MA 4483) to provide Electronics Recycling and Secure Data Destruction services for the State of Utah, including all departments, agencies, institutions, and political subdivisions. This new contract, effective through May 2029, reinforces ATR’s position as the State’s premier choice for responsible, secure, and cost-effective management of end-of-life electronics and IT assets. (Source: Advanced Technology Recycling )

American Battery Technology Company Wins Prestigious Industry-Judged Global Voltas Award

American Battery Technology Company, an integrated critical battery materials company that is commercializing its technologies for both primary battery minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion battery recycling, was honored with the “Outstanding Contribution to Recycling & Reuse in Battery Materials” award at the annual industry Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Voltas Awards Celebration. The Voltas Awards recognize visionaries reshaping global battery raw materials supply chains. From cutting-edge technologies to forward-thinking sustainability initiatives, the achievements celebrated bold contributions to building a resilient and responsible energy future. This award, which judged American Battery Technology Company’s (ABTC) battery recycling competitiveness against 20 global industry peers, underscores the impact and relevance of ABTC’s internally developed advancements in battery recycling technology, domestic-US critical mineral manufacturing, and its commitment to strengthening the nation’s economic resilience and energy security. (Source: American Battery Technology Company)

Avery Dennison Unveils Industry-First RFID Label Recognized by APR for Compatibility with PET Recycling Stream

Avery Dennison announced a breakthrough in recyclable labeling: The first radio-frequency identification (RFID) label to receive APR Design® for Recyclability (DfR) recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). This marks an industry first for an RFID label, validating its compatibility with North America's PET recycling stream. Avery Dennison has combined its proprietary CleanFlake™ adhesive technology, materials science capabilities and expertise in RFID to develop a breakthrough innovation, resulting in a new proprietary RFID label that cleanly separates from the PET in the mechanical recycling stream, reducing contamination. This means brands adopting this novel RFID technology can ensure compatibility for the recycling of their PET packaged items. With 96% of the top 50 brands committed to recyclability and waste management targets, this technology offers a solution towards achieving those goals. (Source: Avery Dennison)

Magna Mining Announces Funding Award from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF)

Magna Mining Inc. is pleased to announce that the Ontario government has awarded funding for up to C$500,000 for work on the Company’s Crean Hill project. The award will be applied towards metallurgical work related to enhancing precious metal recoveries from contact and footwall mineralization at Crean Hill, which was carried out as part of the surface bulk sample program in 2024. Magna Mining’s Senior Vice President Paul Fowler stated: “We are extremely pleased to be the recipients of this funding program, and we are delighted that the Ontario government is supporting our efforts to develop new critical mineral production in Sudbury. We look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario government through initiatives such as the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund and the new C$500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund to execute our plans to re-start multiple new mining operations and increase copper and nickel production in Sudbury over the next 3 to 4 years.” (Source: Magna Mining)

LKQ Corporation and SYNETIQ, an IAA Company Announce Strategic European Joint Venture

LKQ Corporation announced that LKQ Europe has entered into a joint venture with SYNETIQ Ltd., an IAA company. LKQ SYNETIQ, the newly named joint venture, will combine LKQ’s unrivalled distribution reach and data-driven logistics network with SYNETIQ’s market-leading dismantling, reuse and remanufacturing expertise — approximately 27,000 vehicles dismantled annually across four UK sites in 2024. The joint venture is a key building block in the development of LKQ Europe’s salvage channel and its ability to meet future EU Fit-for-55, End-of-Life Vehicle and battery-recycling regulations. It also further enhances SYNETIQ’s strategic goal of maximising the environmental and financial potential of every vehicle. (Source: LKQ Corporation)

Call2Recycle Canada Releases its 2024 Annual Report, Celebrating a Second Consecutive Record-Breaking Year for Battery Recycling

Call2Recycle released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a landmark year in its mission to advance battery recycling across the country. Canadians recycled 6.8 million kg of used batteries in 2024, a significant 17% increase over 2023, marking an incredible record in the organization’s history. This milestone helped Call2Recycle surpass a remarkable 50 million kilograms of batteries collected since its inception in 1997. The report also details the successful launch of Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!, a new national awareness program led by Canadian soccer legend and program ambassador Christine Sinclair. The initiative helped increase public education and motivate battery recycling participation, both through major digital and TV awareness campaigns and through multiple local community events. (Source: Call2Recycle)

71 Workers Lose Jobs as Waterloo Recycling Facility Closes

An Ohio-based company that makes plastic drainage pipe is closing its plastic recycling facility in Waterloo. Advanced Drainage Systems has notified the State of Iowa that 71 employees in Waterloo will be laid off August 17. Employees were told of the closure last week. A spokesperson for ADS says the company made the decision to close its Waterloo site because an expanded Georgia facility and recycling plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania will provide sufficient capacity for manufacturing. ADS pipes are used to drain fields, parking lots and freeways and to hold storm water and control erosion. ADS recycled over 500 million pounds of plastic during its last fiscal year — about half of the total plastic used to make the company’s pipes. (Source: Radio Iowa)

ATR Launches Free Logistics Program to Introduce Businesses to Cost-Effective, Secure ITAD Solutions in the Gulf Coast Region and Beyond

Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR), a national leader in IT asset disposition (ITAD) and R2v3/RIOS certified electronics recycling, is excited to launch a limited-time complimentary logistics program for qualifying new businesses in the Gulf Coast Region and select surrounding markets. This special offer is part of a strategic initiative to help organizations seamlessly onboard with ATR by reducing upfront transportation costs and providing access to secure, certified services through ATR’s new corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art refurbishment center in Pensacola, Florida. (Source: Advanced Technology Recycling)

Malaysia Introduces New Rules Prohibiting All Plastic Waste Imports from the United States

On July 1, imports of all plastic waste will be prohibited from entering Malaysia, a country that currently receives more plastic waste from rich developed countries than any other non-OECD country. This new law will finally bring Malaysia into alignment with the Basel Convention, including the 2019 Plastic Waste Amendments and its trade ban on certain plastic wastes between Parties of the Convention, such as Malaysia, and non-Parties, such as the United States (US). The new law will also be a wake-up call for a multitude of cities and states that routinely allow their plastic waste to flow to Malaysia. (Source: Basel Action Network)

Thailand Enforces Sweeping Ban on Electronic Waste Imports

Thailand has taken a pivotal step towards sustainable environmental management with the implementation of a comprehensive ban on electronic waste imports. A new Ministerial Notification from the Ministry of Commerce, classifying e-waste as illegal for admission into the Kingdom, went into effect on June 24th, 2025, following its publication in the Royal Gazette that same day. This latest decree supersedes a previous 2020 regulation, significantly updating and expanding the scope of the ban. The number of prohibited electronic waste items has increased from 428 to 463. This broader coverage now includes a wider array of end-of-life electronic equipment such as faulty circuit boards, used lithium batteries, non-functional mobile phones, and small electrical appliances containing hazardous residues. Furthermore, customs tariff codes have been revised to align with the Harmonized System 2022, a measure designed to prevent false declarations and the illicit smuggling of e-waste in disguised forms. (Source: Nation Thailand)

India Plans Steps to Counter Rising Copper Supply Risks

India has held internal talks about its growing vulnerability to the tightening global copper market and plans to discuss ways to lock in supply from resource-rich countries during ongoing trade negotiations, according to two government sources and a draft government policy document. New Delhi is also considering measures to help boost domestic refined copper output, including through foreign investment, the sources and the document said. India meets over 90% of its copper concentrate needs through imports, and its dependency is expected to rise to 97% by 2047, said the document reviewed by Reuters. It produces an estimated 573,000 metric tons of refined copper annually against demand of around 1.8 million tons, relying on imports to bridge the gap. India could approach global majors such as Chile’s state-owned miner Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, and Australian miner BHP to set up domestic copper smelters and refineries, said the sources and the document. (Source: Yahoo Finance)

US Announces Policy Changes for Offshore Mineral Development

US President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday announced policy changes it said would speed up the search and development of offshore critical minerals. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are updating policies across all stages of development to “reduce delays, improve coordination and provide greater certainty for industry”, the US Interior Department said in a statement. The move is a part of the Trump administration’s goal of reshaping a critical mineral industry dominated by China, the top US economic rival. The policy update announced by the Interior Department follows an executive order by Trump in April aimed at boosting the deep-sea mining industry in an attempt to improve US access to nickel, copper and other critical minerals used widely across the economy. For early-stage exploration, BOEM will apply existing streamlined environmental reviews whenever appropriate, and it plans to extend the duration of early-stage exploration permits to five years from three, the Interior Department said. The administration will minimize “unnecessary paperwork and compliance steps” to fast-track approvals for mapping, testing, and site development. BOEM will also start identifying potential areas for development without first issuing a formal request for information or forming a joint task force with state and federal agencies to speed up the leasing process, the department said. (Source: Reuters)

Trump Tariffs Fan Calls by European Metal Producers for Scrap Export Curbs

Metal producers in the European Union are lobbying the bloc to impose export duties or curbs on scrap metal shipments “in the next few weeks” to stem a sharp increase in flows to the United States caused by the Trump administration’s trade policies. Europe’s metal producers are warning of a shortage of scrap and an upending of carbon-emission strategies after US Donald Trump’s 50% levy on imported steel and aluminum heightened demand, and sharply inflated prices, for tariff-free scrap. The aluminum industry is asking the EU to stem outflows using export authorization measures, hitherto only used during the Covid pandemic, when the European Commission demanded companies request permission to export protective gear and vaccine doses. Export tariffs would be another option. (Source: Reuters)

Congo Extends Cobalt Export Ban by Three Months

The Democratic Republic of Congo has extended by three months a ban on exports of cobalt intended to curb oversupply of the electric vehicle battery material, a regulatory agency said on Saturday. The world’s top cobalt supplier imposed a four-month suspension on exports in February after prices had hit a nine-year low at just $10 a pound. The ban was due to expire on Sunday. “The decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension due to the continued high level of stock on the market,” the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS) said in a statement. ARECOMS said it expected to announce a subsequent decision to either modify, extend or terminate the suspension before the new three-month window closes in September. (Source: Reuters)