SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 23-27, 2026

March 27, 2026

Wells Fargo Sees Gold at $6,300 by End-2026 Despite Recent Slump

Despite gold’s recent weakness, Wells Fargo analysts said Thursday they remain firmly bullish on the metal in the longer term, forecasting prices to reach $6,100-$6,300/oz by the end of this year, driven by continued central bank demand and an eventual moderation in yields and the U.S. dollar. Wells Fargo expects the Iran war to have a generally limited impact on the economy, with eventual easing inflation pressures and lower Treasury yields later in the year removing key headwinds for bullion, and it expects the conflict to be relatively short-lived, reducing the risk of a sustained inflation increase. The bank also said gold buying at central banks remains well above long-term averages, providing a structural pillar of demand. (Source: Seeking Alpha)

Copper Firms Up on Ceasefire Hopes

Copper rose above $5.5 per pound on Friday and was set for its first weekly gain since the Middle East conflict began, supported by hopes for a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran. President Donald Trump extended the deadline to strike Iranian energy infrastructure by 10 days to allow for negotiations, adding that Iran had permitted 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz this week as a gesture of goodwill. However, reports indicated the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the region, giving the White House more options at the negotiating table. Copper and other metals have come under pressure this month as disruptions from the conflict and surging energy prices heightened concerns over inflation and slowing global industrial activity. (Source: Trading Economics)

Iron Ore Slips as Supply Concerns Ease

Iron ore futures fell toward CNY 810 per ton and were set to end the week little changed, as Tropical Cyclone Narelle caused minimal port disruptions in Australia’s Pilbara region. China’s key steelmaking hub of Tangshan also activated a level-two emergency response to heavy air pollution this week, raising concerns about potential output curbs and tighter environmental inspections. During the annual parliamentary sessions in Beijing earlier this month, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to reducing overcapacity in the steel sector amid weakening demand. Meanwhile, supply disruptions and higher shipping costs tied to the Middle East conflict continued to keep a risk premium on prices. Separately, stockpiles of BHP’s Jimblebar fines at several Chinese ports declined to nearly a two-month low as steelmakers accelerated shipments during a short-lived one-week easing of the import ban. (Source: Trading Economics)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 23-27, 2026

Solarcycle Signs Exclusive U.S. Solar Panel Recycling Deal with Prologis

Mesa, Arizona-based solar recycling company Solarcycle has entered an exclusive agreement with global logistics firm Prologis to recycle end-of-life solar panels and related equipment across Prologis’ U.S. portfolio. The partnership covers more than 1 gigawatt of installed solar and battery storage capacity. The agreement aims to standardize the handling of retired solar assets, improve material recovery rates, and reduce Solarcycle’s processing costs. By securing a predictable volume of materials, Solarcycle plans to optimize facility operations and invest in recycling technologies. Recovered materials will be processed for reuse within domestic supply chains, supporting both companies’ sustainability goals and addressing growing industry pressure to manage the full life cycle of distributed solar infrastructure responsibly. (Source: Solarcycle)

Reconomy to Launch One of UK’s Largest Plastic Recycling Plants in Corby

Reconomy, a global circular economy specialist, will open a £20 million, 138,000 sq. ft. plastic recycling facility in Corby, Northamptonshire, under its Eurokey brand. The plant, expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2026, will process up to 38,000 tonnes of plastic annually, producing pellets for reuse in supermarket packaging. The facility aims to expand domestic recycling capacity in the UK, which currently relies heavily on exporting plastic due to limited local infrastructure. Its proximity to Eurokey’s Kettering sorting center, less than 10 miles away, will reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions while supporting a fully closed-loop system. Eurokey works with major UK supermarkets and retailers, and the new plant will help these clients meet sustainability targets. The project is also expected to create more than 30 local jobs, boosting the regional economy. (Source: Reconomy)

PureCycle Secures €40 Million EU Grant for Antwerp Recycling Project

U.S.-based PureCycle Technologies has signed a €40 million grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) to support a polypropylene recycling facility in Antwerp, Belgium. The funding comes under the EU Innovation Fund’s 2024 call, which allocated €2.7 billion to 54 net-zero technology projects. The “ASTRA PP” project will deploy solvent-based recycling technology at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with an annual capacity of 59,000 tonnes of recycled polypropylene. The facility is expected to supply high-purity recycled resin to help manufacturers meet EU regulatory requirements, including recycled content targets under packaging and vehicle rules. CEO Dustin Olson said the grant validates the company’s technology and supports its expansion into Europe’s regulated sustainability market. The project is also expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 85% compared with conventional polypropylene production. (Source: PureCycle)

Lululemon Invests in Epoch Biodesign to Advance Enzyme-Based Textile Recycling

Vancouver-based athletic wear company Lululemon has invested in U.K. startup Epoch Biodesign to support the commercialization of enzyme-based recycling technologies for synthetic textiles. The funding aims to help break down complex fabrics, including polyester and nylon blends, into reusable chemical building blocks, offering a potential route toward closed-loop recycling for performance apparel. The investment responds to growing industry pressure to address rising textile waste, with less than 1% of global fabrics currently recycled. Enzymatic processes recover high-purity materials at the molecular level, avoiding the quality loss common in mechanical recycling. Climate-focused investors Happiness Capital, Kompas, Exantia Capital, and Leitmotif also participated in the round; terms were not disclosed. The move aligns with Lululemon’s sustainability strategy to secure alternative raw material streams and explore circular solutions within its supply chain. (Source: Tech Buzz)

ITOCHU Forms Joint Venture with ERI to Expand IT Equipment Recycling

ITOCHU Corporation and its subsidiary Belong Inc. have entered a capital and business alliance with U.S.-based Electronic Recyclers International to establish a joint venture focused on IT equipment recycling in Japan. The new entity, ERI Japan Inc., is expected to launch around April 2026. The partnership will develop recycling operations for a wide range of IT equipment, including mobile devices, combining ERI’s recycling and data destruction technologies with ITOCHU’s domestic network. ITOCHU also plans to acquire a minority stake in ERI as part of its strategy to expand circular IT solutions in Japan and the United States. The move comes as demand for IT asset disposition services grows globally and regulatory pressure increases to improve resource circulation. ITOCHU said the venture will help strengthen reverse logistics and support more efficient recovery of materials from end-of-life electronics. (Source: ITOCHU)

Indorama Ventures Backs Relaunch of Brazil’s Guardiãs do Mar Initiative

Brazilian ocean conservation project Guardiãs do Mar has launched a new phase in 2026, expanding activities in São Paulo, Santos, and Pernambuco with support from global sustainable chemicals company Indorama Ventures. The initiative promotes ocean protection, recycling awareness, and community engagement, combining public education, waste collection, and creative reuse of plastics. Founded by Patricia Almeida, Guardiãs do Mar will collect PET plastics for industrial recycling and hands-on workshops that transform waste into art and musical instruments, demonstrating circular economy principles. Indorama Ventures, which operates 20 recycling facilities across 11 countries, said the partnership reinforces its commitment to the circular economy and sustainable growth. Hannah Martinez, the company’s Head of Sustainability Advocacy Americas, noted the program emphasizes collaboration across communities and the plastics value chain. The initiative will engage schools, universities, waste pickers, and local communities, with its activities documented in photography, audiovisual materials, and a planned documentary. (Source: Indorama Ventures)

Recycle Coach Enters UK Market Through Partnership With Bartec

Recycle Coach has expanded into the UK through a distribution partnership with Bartec Municipal Technologies, aiming to strengthen public participation in local recycling programs. Under the agreement, Bartec will offer Recycle Coach’s resident engagement platform to UK councils, combining it with its existing waste management software used by roughly one-third of local authorities. The platform provides tools such as personalized recycling guidance, collection reminders and digital outreach designed to improve sorting behavior. The companies said the collaboration comes as UK municipalities prepare for system changes and work toward a national target of a 65% recycling rate by 2035. Executives from both firms said integrating operational data with resident-facing tools can help councils improve service efficiency and increase recycling rates. (Source: Recycle Coach)

GreenDot Expands into France with Acquisition of LDPE Recycling Sites

German-based plastics recycler GreenDot Global has acquired two low-density polyethylene (LDPE) recycling facilities in Tence and Saint-Pal-de-Mons, France, previously operated by RG Group. The move marks GreenDot’s first operational presence in France and expands its network to five mechanical recycling plants across Europe, including sites in Germany and Italy. The company said the acquisition strengthens its capabilities in recycling post-commercial and industrial polyethylene film and provides converters and brands with reliable sources of European-made recycled plastics. RG Group currently processes more than 20,000 tons of LDPE film annually, with potential to exceed 35,000 tons. “France is a key market in need of increased plastic recycling,” GreenDot CEO Laurent Auguste said, noting the deal supports the European shift toward circular plastics and upcoming recycled content targets. RG Group CEO Eric Preynat added that joining GreenDot will enhance high-performance LDPE recycling in the country. (Source: GreenDot)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 23-27, 2026

EPA Proposes Rule to Tackle Scrap Tire Piles, Expand Use as Fuel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new measures to accelerate the cleanup of abandoned tire stockpiles while allowing their use as fuel, aiming to address public health risks and recover energy from waste. The proposal would permit whole scrap tires to be used as non-waste fuel in cement kilns and streamline how collection programs manage tires destined for energy use. Officials said the changes could help reduce fire hazards and limit breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests associated with tire piles. EPA estimates that about 48 million abandoned tires remain across at least 23 states and Tribal lands. The agency said the initiative is intended to improve community safety while supporting resource recovery. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days, with submissions due by May 22, 2026. (Source: EPA)

Norway Given Deadline After Missing Recycling and Waste Collection Targets

EFTA Surveillance Authority has issued a formal notice to Norway for failing to meet binding waste collection and recycling targets under European Economic Area (EEA) rules. Data for 2023 show Norway recycled 41.7% of municipal waste, falling short of the 50% target set for 2020. The country also missed requirements to collect 65% of electronic waste, achieving 47.8% instead. ESA said Norway must take corrective measures to comply with current and upcoming targets for 2025, 2030 and 2035. The notice marks the first step in infringement proceedings, giving Norway two months to respond before further action is considered. Similar enforcement measures are underway in the European Union, where member states face pressure to meet tightening recycling and waste management requirements. (Source: Recycling International)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: March 23-27, 2026