SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 16-20, 2026

March 20, 2026

Gold Prices Rebound but Head for Deep Weekly Loss as Iran War Dents Rate Cut Bets

Gold prices rebounded in Asian trade on Friday, but were nursing deep weekly losses as the U.S.-Israel war on Iran raised inflation expectations and dented bets on interest rate cuts. The yellow metal had tumbled on Thursday after several major central banks flagged caution over the inflationary effects of the Iran war. This in turn fueled expectations for no interest rate cuts in the near-term– a scenario that bodes poorly for precious metals. Spot gold rose 1.4% to $4,715.34 an ounce by 04:11 ET (08:11 GMT), while gold futures rose 2.4% to $4,715.81/oz. The yellow metal took some relief from a drop in the dollar, which was headed for its first weekly loss in three. The greenback was outpaced by other major developed world currencies after several central banks flagged plans for interest rate hikes in the face of rising energy prices. (Source: Investing.com)

Silver Set for Third Weekly Decline

Silver stabilized above $73 per ounce on Friday but was still poised for a third consecutive weekly loss, as surging energy prices from the Middle East conflict fueled inflation concerns and reduced expectations for interest rate cuts. Rising energy costs and mounting inflationary pressures prompted investors to shift into the dollar and Treasuries, weighing on safe-haven metals. The shock to energy markets also forced traders to reassess the policy outlook after hawkish signals from major central banks. The Fed kept rates unchanged, signaling that cuts are unlikely until inflation shows clear easing. Meanwhile, the ECB, BOJ, and BOE also left rates steady but struck more hawkish tones, indicating a bias toward tighter policy. Markets have now pushed back Fed easing expectations to 2027 and are pricing in two rate hikes each from the ECB and BOE this year, further dampening precious metals’ appeal. (Source: Trading Economics)

Copper Heads for Third Weekly Drop

Copper futures rebounded to around $5.5 per pound on Friday after hitting multi-month lows in the previous session, supported by reassurances from the US and Israel regarding the Middle East conflict. US President Donald Trump said the US is not considering deploying ground troops against Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel would hold off on further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. The conflict has pressured metals markets amid concerns that rising energy prices could slow global manufacturing and economic activity. Despite the rebound, copper is set for a third consecutive weekly loss, as surging exchange inventories point to softer physical demand. Analysts highlighted weaker Chinese consumption and reduced shipments to the US, slowed by tariffs. Additionally, major central banks signaled a bias toward tighter monetary policy this week amid elevated inflation risks from higher energy costs. (Source: Trading Economics)

Iron Ore Rises as China Tightens Curbs

Iron ore futures climbed above CNY 810 per ton, recovering losses from earlier in the week after China reimposed buying restrictions on BHP’s Jimblebar product, tightening available supply. Beijing also introduced a secondary ban on BHP’s Newman fines amid an ongoing dispute between state-backed China Mineral Resources Group and BHP Group over the 2026 supply contract. On the demand side, industry data showed average daily hot metal output rose by 38,000 metric tons week-on-week and is expected to increase further. However, upside in prices may remain capped as port inventories in China continue to build, driven by strong shipments from producers and persistently weak steel demand amid the country’s prolonged property sector downturn. China’s crude iron ore output increased 1.3% year-on-year to 161.64 million metric tons in the first two months of the year. (Source: Trading Economics)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 16-20, 2026

TotalEnergies Launches France’s First Advanced Plastics Recycling Plant

TotalEnergies has started operations at France’s first advanced plastics recycling facility at its Grandpuits site, marking a key step in converting the refinery into a zero-crude platform. The plant, located southeast of Paris, has an annual capacity of 15,000 metric tons and uses pyrolysis technology supplied by Plastic Energy. The process converts hard-to-recycle household plastic waste into synthetic oil, which can be used as feedstock to produce new plastics. TotalEnergies said the recycled output is equivalent in quality to virgin plastics and suitable for applications including food contact and medical use. To secure feedstock supply, the company previously signed agreements with Citeo and Paprec. The project supports the development of advanced recycling capacity in France and broader efforts to reduce reliance on fossil-based feedstocks. (Source: TotalEnergies)

Neste Commissions World’s Largest Liquefied Plastic Waste Upgrading Facility

Neste has commissioned a new upgrading facility for liquefied waste plastic at its Porvoo refinery in Finland, marking a major step in scaling up chemical recycling. The €111 million plant can process up to 150,000 metric tons of liquefied waste plastic annually, making it the largest facility of its kind globally. Production began ramping up in 2026 following construction and integration work completed in late 2025. The facility upgrades materials such as pyrolysis oil derived from hard-to-recycle plastics, including multilayer and contaminated waste, into high-quality feedstock for the petrochemical industry. Neste said the process helps bridge the quality gap between waste-derived inputs and virgin fossil-based materials. Company executives said the project demonstrates the viability of processing liquefied plastic waste at industrial scale and supports efforts to expand recycling of materials that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled. (Source: Neste)

Rio Tinto, Prysmian Test Low-Carbon Aluminum Cables for Data Centers

Rio Tinto and Prysmian have completed an industrial trial to produce low-carbon aluminum cables aimed at the fast-growing data center sector, as demand rises for more sustainable infrastructure. The trial used aluminum rod made from a mix of low-carbon metal produced at Rio Tinto’s hydropowered Alma smelter in Canada and material generated from ELYSIS, which eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the smelting process. The initiative builds on a five-year supply agreement signed in 2023 and combines the companies’ manufacturing and research capabilities to accelerate deployment of lower-carbon materials across energy and data center applications. Demand for data center cables is expected to grow rapidly, with the sector projected to expand at a compound annual rate of about 17% between 2026 and 2030. The companies said the collaboration aims to help customers reduce the carbon footprint of critical digital infrastructure. (Source: Rio Tinto)

Indorama Ventures, Partners Plan Major rPET Facility in Nigeria

Indorama Ventures, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions Ltd have formed a partnership to develop a large-scale recycled PET (rPET) production facility in Lagos, aiming to strengthen recycling capacity and sustainable packaging supply in West Africa. The planned plant is designed to produce up to 45,000 metric tons of food-grade rPET annually, with operations targeted to begin in the first half of 2027. The facility will process post-consumer PET bottles into recycled resin for packaging applications, supporting growing demand for recycled materials and reducing plastic waste. The partners said the project combines Indorama’s recycling expertise, Nigerian Breweries’ local market presence, and Genesis Energy’s infrastructure capabilities. It also aligns with Nigeria’s national policy to ensure all plastic packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2030. The investment marks Indorama Ventures’ first recycling project in Africa and is expected to support job creation and expand local collection and recycling systems. (Source: Indorama Ventures)

Scientists Turn Plastic Waste into Parkinson’s Drug Using Engineered Bacteria

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a method to convert waste plastic bottles into L-DOPA, a key drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in Nature Sustainability. The process uses engineered E. coli bacteria to transform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalic acid, which is then converted into L-DOPA through a series of biological reactions. The team said the approach offers a more sustainable alternative to conventional pharmaceutical production, which relies on fossil fuels. Researchers say the technique could help address global plastic waste challenges while creating value from discarded materials. Beyond pharmaceuticals, the method may support the development of a bio-based recycling industry for products such as chemicals, cosmetics and fragrances. The team plans to scale up the process and assess its commercial and environmental viability. (Source: University of Edinburgh)

Report Highlights Pathways to Boost U.S. Prescription Pill Bottle Recycling

Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy has identified opportunities to increase recycling rates for prescription pill bottles in the United States, where most are currently landfilled or incinerated despite being made from widely recyclable plastics. The report estimates that up to 78,000 tons of pill bottles and caps are discarded annually, including both bulk containers used in pharmacies and consumer-facing bottles. While typically made from HDPE and polypropylene, their small size, regulatory requirements and dual role in healthcare and consumer packaging systems limit recovery. The study outlines steps to improve collection, including pharmacy-based take-back programs, better aggregation systems and stronger end-market demand. It also highlights the need to address privacy, safety and compliance requirements. The Center said progress will depend on coordinated action among pharmacies, manufacturers, recyclers and policymakers to scale both near-term pilots and long-term infrastructure solutions. (Source: Closed Loop Center)

Enviro Files for Bankruptcy of Swedish Tyre Recycling Subsidiary

Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB said it has filed for bankruptcy of its wholly owned subsidiary, Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB, as part of an ongoing corporate reorganization. The bankruptcy application has been submitted to the District Court of Gothenburg and is intended to improve liquidity and long-term profitability, the company said. Operations at Enviro’s Gothenburg site will continue as normal during the restructuring process. The subsidiary operates a recycling facility in Åsensbruk that has been used to validate Enviro’s technology. The company said the facility’s role has now been completed and that operations have not been profitable. Enviro expects the move to result in an impairment of about SEK 84 million. The current reorganization applies only to the parent company, not its subsidiaries. (Source: Enviro)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 16-20, 2026

Delhi Plans Battery Recycling Framework in New EV Policy 2.0

The Delhi government is set to introduce a dedicated battery recycling framework under its upcoming Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, as rising EV adoption increases future battery waste. According to local media reports, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee is expected to act as the nodal agency, overseeing compliance and developing systems for collection, recycling and safe disposal. Officials said the policy aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem, including collection centers, recycling facilities and stricter oversight, in line with the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 and extended producer responsibility requirements. The draft also proposes incentives for EV adoption, expansion of charging infrastructure and support for battery-swapping networks. Delhi’s current EV policy, launched in 2020, is due to expire soon, with the revised framework expected to be unveiled during the March budget session. (Source: The Economic Times)

India Issues 2026 Guidelines for Safe Handling of Solar Panel Waste

Central Pollution Control Board has released new guidelines for the safe storage and handling of end-of-life solar panels, as India faces rising volumes of photovoltaic waste. Issued under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, the framework sets procedures for the collection, transport and storage of discarded solar modules, which contain recyclable materials such as glass and aluminum as well as hazardous substances including lead and cadmium. The rules require producers, manufacturers and recyclers to register with authorities, maintain records and ensure waste is sent only to authorized recycling facilities. Open dumping and landfill disposal are prohibited. The guidelines also mandate safe storage conditions, including covered, ventilated facilities with impermeable flooring, and strict handling of damaged panels. Authorities said the measures aim to reduce environmental risks while supporting the sustainable growth of solar energy. (Source: CPCB)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 16-20, 2026