SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: May 18-22, 2026

May 22, 2026

Gold Holds Steady Amid US-Iran Uncertainty

Gold hovered above $4,500 an ounce on Friday and was on track to finish the week little changed, as conflicting signals surrounding US-Iran peace negotiations kept investors cautious over inflation risks and the outlook for interest rates. Tehran stated that the latest US proposal had partially bridged the gap between the two sides. However, reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader ordered the country’s enriched uranium stockpile to remain within its borders complicated negotiations, as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program remains a key US objective. Iran is also reportedly in talks with Oman on establishing a permanent toll system that would formalize its control over shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, though President Donald Trump rejected the idea. Despite the recent stability, gold prices remain about 14% lower since the conflict began, amid concerns that an energy-driven inflation shock could prompt central banks to tighten monetary policy. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Remains Subdued Near $76.00 due to US-Iran Uncertainty

Silver price (XAG/USD) declines after two days of gains, trading around $76.10 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Friday. The non-yielding white metal struggles amid rising odds of hawkish sentiment surrounding the Federal Reserve (Fed) policy stance. Elevated energy prices linked to the Strait of Hormuz threaten to feed into core US consumer prices and inflation expectations, which could potentially push the Fed to keep interest rates higher. Furthermore, a stronger US economic growth outlook is adding weight to the case for monetary tightening and putting pressure on non-interest-bearing assets, including Silver. (Source: FXStreet)

Chile Raises 2026 Copper Price Forecast on Tight Supply Outlook

The Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco) has raised its 2026 copper price forecast to $5.55 per pound, citing sustained global demand and constrained supply conditions driven by energy transition-related consumption. In its latest quarterly report, Cochilco also projected copper prices to remain elevated at $5.10 per pound in 2027, supported by demand from electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence. Economy and Mining Minister Daniel Mas said the revised outlook reflects “solid global demand and a market with tight supply,” noting that stronger prices would boost Chile’s fiscal revenues. Cochilco forecasts global refined copper demand to grow steadily through 2027, while supply increases are expected to remain insufficient to fully ease market tightness. Although the refined copper market is projected to move into small surpluses in 2026 and 2027, structural constraints are expected to persist. Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, is expected to maintain about 22% of global mine output, though production is forecast to dip in 2026 before recovering in 2027 due to operational and ore grade challenges. (Source: Kitco News)

Watercycle and cylib Partner on Lithium and Graphite Recovery from Battery Recycling

Watercycle Technologies has signed an MOU with German battery recycling company cylib GmbH to collaborate on graphite and lithium recovery from end-of-life batteries in Europe. The agreement focuses on integrating Watercycle’s mineral recovery technologies with cylib’s battery recycling operations to improve the recovery of critical battery materials and strengthen Europe’s circular supply chain. Under the partnership, Watercycle plans to evaluate the purchase and refining of graphite materials from cylib’s Aachen demonstration facility beginning in 2026, with potential expansion tied to future commercial-scale production. The companies will also explore the treatment of lithium-bearing process water generated during recycling operations using Watercycle’s modular Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallization technology. The process is intended to improve lithium recovery while producing clean water as a by-product. Watercycle co-founder Sebastian Leaper said the partnership supports efforts to create more resilient and sustainable battery material supply chains in Europe. cylib co-founder Gideon Schwich said combining advanced recycling with mineral recovery technologies could improve resource efficiency and support the growth of Europe’s battery ecosystem. (Source: Watercycle Technologies)

Pirelli Launches Closed-Loop Tire Recycling Initiative in North America

Pirelli North America has launched the company’s first closed-loop tire recycling initiative, using recovered materials from scrap tires to manufacture new tires in North America. The program involves collecting production scrap tires and processing them through pyrolysis technology operated by Bolder Industries. The process produces ISCC PLUS-certified recovered carbon black, branded as BolderBlack®, which Pirelli reuses in new tire production. Pirelli said the recovered carbon black can partially replace virgin carbon black, supporting more efficient resource use and advancing the company’s broader circular economy strategy. The initiative received the Tire Recycling Foundation’s Value Chain Collaboration Award, recognizing efforts to improve tire recycling and sustainable manufacturing practices. Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America, said the project reflects the company’s goal of increasing recycled and bio-based materials in tire production while maintaining product performance and quality. Pirelli aims to reach more than 80% recycled and bio-based materials in its top product lines by 2030. (Source: PR Newswire)

New Jersey Recognizes PureCycle Resin as Recycled Content Under State Law

PureCycle Technologies said its PureFive polypropylene resin has been qualified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as recycled content under the state’s Postconsumer Recycled Content Law. The approval allows the company’s recycled polypropylene to count toward mandatory post-consumer recycled content requirements for certain plastic packaging sold in New Jersey. PureCycle said the designation is currently conditional for one year while the company provides additional documentation on feedstock sources, processing methods and end-use applications. CEO Dustin Olson said the decision provides regulatory clarity for brand owners seeking to comply with New Jersey’s recycled content mandates, which began in 2024 and will gradually increase over time. PureFive is produced using PureCycle’s dissolution recycling process, which removes contaminants from post-consumer polypropylene to create recycled resin suitable for food-contact applications. The company said it sourced more than 10.5 million pounds of post-consumer recycled material from New Jersey in 2025 and expects volumes to increase as production ramps up at its Ohio facility. (Source: PureCycle)

Glencore Enters EU-to-Turkey Scrap Trade Market

Mining and commodities trader Glencore has begun offering ferrous scrap shipments from a deep-water port in the European Union to Turkey, marking what market participants describe as a significant shift in the global scrap trade. According to market reports, the company is handling the shipments through a Baltic-region exporter that recently expanded into the Turkish market. The move is expected to strengthen access to deep-sea scrap cargoes, which typically require substantial financing, logistics coordination and vessel chartering capacity. Glencore has also signed an agreement with Polish scrap transshipment company Lebal to support export logistics and cargo handling operations. Turkey is the world’s largest importer of ferrous scrap, bringing in roughly 18–20 million tonnes annually to supply its electric arc furnace steel industry. Demand for scrap is expected to grow further as steelmakers face increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and comply with regulations such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Industry participants say Glencore’s expansion into the scrap market reflects growing strategic interest in recycled raw materials tied to decarbonization and green steel production. (Source: GMK Center)

Hydro and Parsons Healthy Materials Lab Study Low-Carbon Aluminum in Construction

Norwegian aluminum producer Hydro has partnered with Parsons Healthy Materials Lab to examine the role of recycled and low-carbon aluminum in the built environment as climate regulations and sustainability requirements reshape construction practices. The collaboration includes a research study focused on low-carbon aluminum solutions, their environmental benefits and implications for architects, designers and manufacturers. The findings will be published later this year and developed into educational resources for the construction and design sectors. Hydro said advances in recycling technology and renewable energy are helping reduce aluminum’s carbon footprint, historically associated with energy-intensive primary production. The partnership also included a masterclass held in New York on April 28, bringing together professionals from architecture, sustainability and industry to discuss the impact of material choices on emissions across the building supply chain. Hydro and Parsons are also presenting early findings from the collaboration at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2026 in New York, alongside exhibitions featuring recycled aluminum design applications. (Source: Hydro)

Niagara Bottling Acquires California Recycling Facility to Expand Closed-Loop Packaging System

Niagara Bottling has acquired a 305,000-square-foot recycling and packaging facility in Vernon, California, as part of a strategy to strengthen vertical integration and expand its bottle-to-bottle recycling capabilities. The facility, previously operated under the rPlanet Earth brand, will process post-consumer PET materials into recycled flakes and pellets for use in Niagara’s beverage packaging. The company said the investment will reduce reliance on virgin plastic and improve domestic circularity in California’s recycling system. Niagara Bottling President Rali Sanderson said the company is investing in new equipment to restore full operations and enable the production of new bottles directly from recycled materials. The plant will process mixed PET bales collected from curbside recycling streams and is expected to produce about 45 million pounds of recycled PET annually once fully operational. Niagara said it plans to hire around 60 employees as the facility is phased back online. The acquisition marks a broader push by the company to integrate recycling and manufacturing operations and expand closed-loop production across its U.S. supply chain. (Source: Business Wire)

International Paper Acquires Delaware Packaging Facility from Delmarva Corrugated Packaging

International Paper has acquired a converting facility in Dover, Delaware, from Delmarva Corrugated Packaging as part of its strategy to expand sustainable packaging operations in North America. The company said the acquisition will strengthen its regional manufacturing footprint, increase production capacity and improve its ability to deliver corrugated packaging solutions to customers more efficiently. Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president of Packaging Solutions North America at International Paper, said the Dover facility’s customer base and location will support the company’s long-term growth plans and enhance service reliability. Delmarva Corrugated Packaging President and CEO Dennis Mehiel said International Paper is well-positioned to support the facility’s future growth and integration. International Paper said the transaction aligns with its broader strategy to expand value creation through sustainable packaging solutions and operational growth. (Source: PR Newswire)

Nestlé Malaysia Expands Plastic Recycling Initiative Through Kedah Partnership

Nestlé Malaysia has partnered with Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation to strengthen plastic recycling efforts in Kedah through the expansion of its Project SAVE recycling program. The collaboration will support community-led recycling activities in Kulim under Project SAVE (Segregate, Avoid, Value, Educate), Nestlé Malaysia’s voluntary extended producer responsibility initiative launched in 2020. The company said the program now reaches around 260,000 households across nine Malaysian cities through weekly door-to-door collection of dry mixed recyclables conducted with local councils, waste operators and private recyclers. According to Nestlé Malaysia, Project SAVE diverted about 15,000 tonnes of waste from landfills and oceans in 2025, including 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste. A pilot program introduced in Kulim this year in partnership with SWCorp, E-Idaman and ESH Resource has already collected about 100,000 kilograms of recyclables, including roughly 28,000 kilograms of plastics. Nestlé Malaysia CEO Juan Aranols said long-term recycling success depends on strong partnerships and household participation, while SWCorp CEO Khalid Mohammed highlighted the importance of coordinated collection systems in sustaining community engagement. (Source: NST Today)

EU Parliament Approves Tougher Steel Safeguards to Address Global Overcapacity

The European Parliament has approved new measures aimed at protecting the EU steel market from the effects of global overcapacity and low-cost imports once current safeguards expire in June 2026. Under the new regulation, tariff-free steel import quotas would be reduced to 18.3 million tonnes annually, representing a 47% cut compared with 2024 levels. Imports exceeding the quota, or products outside the quota system, would face a 50% customs duty, up from the current 25%. The legislation also introduces a “melt and pour” rule, which determines steel origin based on where the metal is first melted and cast. Lawmakers said the measure is intended to improve traceability and limit trade circumvention through minimal processing in third countries. The regulation was approved by 606 votes to 16, with 39 abstentions, following agreement between Parliament and Council negotiators. It now awaits formal approval by the European Council and is expected to take effect on July 1, 2026. Lead negotiator Karin Karlsbro said the measures are necessary to counter unfair trade pressures while ensuring Ukraine receives special consideration as a future EU candidate country. The EU said the steel industry remains strategically important for the bloc’s economy and defense sector, despite facing sustained import pressure and significant job losses over the past decade. (Source: European Parliament)

Oregon Approves Circular Action Alliance Amendment on Responsible Recycling End Markets

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has approved a program plan amendment submitted by Circular Action Alliance aimed at strengthening oversight of recycling end markets under the state’s Recycling Modernization Act. The amendment establishes a new framework for verifying that recyclable materials collected in Oregon are processed through responsible downstream facilities and end markets. Officials said the changes are intended to improve transparency, accountability and environmental compliance across the recycling supply chain. The updated framework allows recycling facilities to demonstrate compliance through recognized third-party certification systems, reducing duplicate reporting requirements while maintaining environmental safeguards. CAA Oregon Executive Director Kim Holmes said the amendment creates a practical approach for ensuring recyclable materials are managed responsibly from collection through final processing. The approval follows more than two years of consultation involving state regulators, the Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council, local governments, recycling service providers and end-market operators. (Source: Circular Action Alliance)