SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: November 24-28, 2025

November 28, 2025

Gold Set for Monthly Gain on US Rate-Cut Bet

Gold prices rose to around $4,190 per ounce on Friday, approaching a five-week high and on track for a fourth consecutive monthly gain, as investors grew more confident of a December Federal Reserve rate cut. A series of remarks from Fed officials supporting further monetary easing, along with delayed economic data showing weakness, has reinforced expectations. Additionally, Kevin Hassett, seen as a frontrunner to replace Jerome Powell, has echoed President Trump’s support for a rate reduction. Markets now price in more than an 80% probability of a 25 bps cut next month, up sharply from 30% a week ago. Investors are also pricing in three additional cuts by the end of 2026. The metal is poised for its strongest annual performance since 1979, supported by heavy central-bank buying and strong non-sovereign inflows into ETFs. (Source: Trading Economics)

Deutsche Bank Raises 2026 Copper Price Forecast Amid Supply Squeeze

Deutsche Bank has released its 2026 outlook for global copper, highlighting a tightening supply environment as industry consolidation accelerates. The brokerage forecasts that mine supply will decline in 2025 and rise only about 1% in 2026, a dynamic that underlines a market in deficit. Deutsche Bank has lifted its 2026 copper price forecast to $10,600 per tonne, with peak prices projected to exceed $11,000 per tonne in the first half of the year. The brokerage notes that severe supply disruptions have pushed copper prices to near-record levels. Despite a marked slowdown in Chinese demand in the second half of 2025 and concerns over a potential AI-driven investment bubble, Deutsche Bank emphasizes that, barring a global economic slowdown, an incentive-based pricing regime is likely to continue. The brokerage points to global electricity demand, which outpaced GDP growth in 2024, as a key driver that should sustain healthy expansion in copper demand through electrification and digitalization trends. (Source: Deutsche Bank)

Deutsche Bank Raises 2026 Gold Price Forecast to $4,450/oz

Deutsche Bank raised its 2026 gold price forecast to $4,450 an ounce from $4,000 on Wednesday, citing stabilising investor flows and persistent central bank demand. The bank now expects a $3,950–$4,950 range next year, with the top end about 14% above the current price of the December 2026 COMEX gold futures contract. Deutsche Bank highlighted what it called a “positive structural picture,” noting that central-bank buying and exchange-traded-fund (ETF) investment were absorbing a significant portion of supply, leaving less for the jewellery market, while total demand continues to outpace supply. The bank also projected that ETF flows would help maintain a price floor next year, saying they “suggest $3,900/oz support will hold”. It added that years of undersupply in silver, platinum and palladium would improve their sensitivity to gold’s strength, with elevated lease rates signalling ongoing tightness in the physical market. The bank maintained its 2027 gold price forecast at $5,150, saying it “straddles the uncertainty” between business as usual and elevated official demand scenarios. (Source: Reuters)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: November 24-28, 2025

Verretex, Fiberloop Partnership Achieves Closed-Loop Composites Recycling Ecosystem

Verretex SA (Lausanne, Switzerland) and Fiberloop AB (Sävedalen, Sweden) are strategically collaborating, uniting both company’s work in the circular composites ecosystem. Together, Verretex and Fiberloop will offer recyclers a complete, high-value solution for processing end-of-life (EOL) and production-scrap composites, combining Fiberloop’s recycling systems with Verretex’s industrial offtake of premium recycled glass fibers (rGF). After extensive testing and qualification trials, Verretex has confirmed that fiber recovered from the Fiberloop process are among the highest-grade rGF currently available. The material demonstrated optimal consistency, strength and cleanliness, making it ideally suited for Verretex’s high-performance nonwoven textiles used in wind energy, mobility, construction and industrial applications. As part of this collaboration, Fiberloop will provide recyclers with fully integrated composite recycling plants, while Verretex will act as a stable, long-term buyer of recycled fibers, ensuring customers have both the technology and the end market access required for profitable, scalable operations. (Source: CompositesWorld )

Hydro to Close Five European Extrusion Plants

Hydro has decided to consolidate the Extrusions operations in Europe with a proposal to close five of its European plants. This move is made to optimize the extrusion footprint in Europe and strengthen competitiveness. The decision will affect Hydro Extrusions’ production plants in Cheltenham and Bedwas in the UK, Lüdenscheid in Germany, Feltre in Italy, and Drunen in the Netherlands. A formal consultation process with employee representatives at the affected plants will begin immediately. If confirmed, the sites will be closed during 2026. According to reports, the decision to optimize the European extrusion footprint is based on a detailed review and analysis of the performance and market situation, with the aim to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Hydro Extrusions’ business in Europe. (Source: Hydro)

DOE Asking Companies for Ideas About Recycling Radioactive Nickel

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting companies to explore the feasibility of recovering 9,700 tons of radiologically contaminated nickel from ingots at its Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky. Originally built 73 years ago to produce enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, the plant is now being decommissioned. DOE is seeking input on operationally mature technologies that could extract high-purity nickel while leaving behind radiological contaminants. If successful, the recycled nickel could be used in future applications such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and grid-scale batteries. Companies are asked to submit technical proposals detailing readiness, processing methods, production yield, safety measures, economic viability, and market maturity by February 19, 3 p.m. ET. The DOE will evaluate whether selective extraction can produce nickel suitable for commercial use. (Source: Forbes)

Virginia Startup Circ Lands $100M, Powers Zara and H&M Recycling

Virginia-based startup Circ has developed a chemical recycling breakthrough that is drawing major attention from global fashion brands. According to reports, the company has created a proprietary hydrothermal process capable of separating blended fabrics—such as cotton-polyester—into their original fibers without damaging either material, solving a problem that has challenged the textile industry for decades. The innovation has already attracted $100 million in funding and partnerships with Allbirds, Zara, and H&M. (Source: The Tech Buzz)

Teijin Develops Solvent-Based Recycling for Virgin-Quality Polycarbonate

Teijin Ltd. has rolled out a solvent-based recycling technology to produce high-quality recycled polycarbonate (PC) resin with properties comparable to virgin resin. The Japan-based company said its process uses solvents to dissolve waste PC resin and separate pure polymers from contaminants, such as surface coatings, addressing challenges like material degradation, high costs, and carbon emissions. The announcement coincides with Europe’s consideration of the draft end-of-life vehicles (ELV) regulation, which mandates the use of recycled plastics from end-of-life vehicles in new car manufacturing. Teijin said its solvent-based recycling method aligns with these regulatory requirements, offering a practical solution for industries that rely on high-quality recycled materials. (Source: Plastics Today)

Green Parts Specialists, Auto Windscreens Partner on Effective Glass Recycling

The Green Parts Specialists are working with Auto Windscreens to improve vehicle glass recycling. The companies are working to train technicians to remove glass from salvage and end-of-life vehicles effectively, aiming to reduce waste and boost sustainability. “Glass has historically been difficult to salvage. We’re delighted we’ve been able to help The Green Parts Specialists to recover and recycle glass, which is a major sustainability milestone,” said Shaun Atton, business development director at Auto Windscreens. (Source: Waste360)

Techbros Electronic Recycle & ITAD Announces Official Partnership with the Phoenix Suns

Techbros Electronic Recycle & ITAD, Arizona’s certified electronics recycling and IT asset disposition company, announces its official partnership with the Phoenix Suns, unlocking a new chapter in statewide sustainability, circular technology education, and community-driven environmental impact. The partnership establishes Techbros an R2v3, NAID AAA, and ISO-certified organization as a leading sustainability partner within the Suns’ ecosystem. It also amplifies Techbros mission promoting circularity, extending the usable life of technology, and educating businesses and families on responsible electronics recycling and secure data destruction. Through the Suns partnership, Techbros will activate several high-impact initiatives focused on sustainability and circular technology, including: Statewide circularity awareness campaigns, educational content and workshops, in arena sustainability messaging, community events, youth engagement and STEM opportunities. (Source: Techbros Electronic Recycle & ITAD)

Veolia to Build a Major Hazardous Waste U.S. Player With the Acquisition of Clean Earth

Veolia announces its biggest and most transformative acquisition since the merger with Suez both for its growth acceleration in the U.S. and for U.S. hazardous waste. The Group has entered into an agreement with Enviri to acquire Clean Earth, a prime asset in the U.S. hazardous waste sector. It will double Veolia’s U.S. hazardous waste footprint to create a number two player in a fast-growing sector, with a nationwide operational platform, wider market coverage and an advanced portfolio of technical capabilities. It will also enable Veolia to strengthen its presence in fast-growing industries such as retail and healthcare allowing it to offer a full range of environmental services on a nationwide basis. According to reports, Clean Earth is acquired for an Enterprise Value of $3bn (or ~€2.6bn), representing 9.8x 2026e EBITDA4 post run rate synergies. The transaction offers strong value creation for shareholders with $120m of synergies by year 4, backed by Veolia’s solid track-record, and current EPS accretion from year 2. (Source: Veolia)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: November 24-28, 2025

NAW Seeks Preliminary Injunction to Halt Enforcement of Oregon Packaging Law

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to suspend enforcement of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. NAW argues the law creates an opaque, privately controlled regulatory structure that forces distributors to sign non-negotiable contracts and pay fees calculated under a confidential methodology with limited state oversight. According to NAW, the first invoices issued in July 2025 were far higher than public projections, in some cases exceeding product margins and placing particular strain on small and mid-sized distributors. Businesses also face unclear obligations across multistate supply chains and potential penalties of up to $25,000 per day for noncompliance. A second round of invoices is expected in January 2026, with the state not required to approve the new assessments. NAW says its members face imminent, unrecoverable compliance costs and competitive distortions, and is asking the court to pause all reporting and payment duties until the case is resolved. (Source: NAW)

BIR Advocates for Transparent, Data-Driven Policy in EU’s Upcoming Aluminium Export Framework

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has voiced concern following European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič’s announcement of preparatory work on a new trade measure targeting recycled aluminium exports, with a formal proposal expected in spring 2026. The Commission says the measure aims to prevent “aluminium scrap leakage” and secure competitively priced material for EU industries. However, BIR notes that the Commission’s own trade-monitoring data shows no evidence of such leakage, warning that policy built on unsupported assumptions could distort markets. BIR welcomes the recognition of recycled aluminium as a strategic material but stresses that global recycling markets depend on open, predictable and fair trade flows. The organisation urges the EU to ensure any new measure is evidence-based, proportionate, balanced and globally coherent. BIR also calls on the Commission to consider the interests of all stakeholders as consultations begin later this year. (Source: BIR)

UK Metals Recycling Warns Export Restrictions Could Cost Tens of Thousands of Jobs

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) and industry partners have warned the UK government that restricting recycled metal exports could threaten over 20,000 jobs across the metals recycling sector and supporting industries, including equipment suppliers, logistics, insurance, and payment services. According to a report by Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, limiting scrap steel exports could cost billions in economic activity. For example, blocking exports to Türkiye could result in £2.16 billion GVA loss and 6,834 jobs, while halting sales to non-OECD countries could lead to £4.9 billion GVA loss and 20,317 jobs over a five-year period. BMRA urges policymakers to exercise caution in finalizing the UK Steel Strategy, warning that export bans or quotas would have a ripple effect, disproportionately impacting small and medium-sized enterprises across the sector. (Source: BMRA)

SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: November 24-28, 2025