SUNSHINE RecycleFlash Weekly: September 15-19, 2025

September 19, 2025

Gold Halts Four-Week Rally

Gold slipped toward $3,630 per ounce on Friday, marking its third consecutive session of losses and positioning the metal for its first weekly decline in four. Markets continued to digest the Federal Reserve outlook after the central bank eased its benchmark rate for the first time since December, leaving the door open for further reductions. However, policymakers cautioned that persistent inflation could slow the pace of any future cuts. Chair Jerome Powell also framed the move as a measured response to a cooling labor market, emphasizing that the central bank does not intend to accelerate an easing cycle and will proceed cautiously. Nevertheless, gold has still risen roughly 39% so far this year, repeatedly hitting record highs amid expectations of Fed easing, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and strong central bank demand. (Source: Trading Economics)

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD Drifts Higher to Near $42.00 as Fed Cuts Rates

The Silver price (XAG/USD) gains ground to around $41.90 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The white metal finds support from the US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts. As widely expected, the Fed decided to cut its benchmark interest rate at its September meeting on Wednesday, the first time since December, and signaled more reductions are likely this year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell pointed to growing signs of weakness in the labor market to explain why officials decided it was time to cut rates after holding them steady since December amid concerns over tariff-driven inflation. Lower interest rates could reduce the opportunity cost of holding Silver, supporting the non-yielding white metal. Strong support from global demand, especially from industrial use in photovoltaics, where China dominates, might contribute to Silver’s upside. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has been buying silver ETFs, while sentiment around commodities is improving on a weaker US Dollar (USD) outlook. (Source: FXStreet)

Iron Ore Steadies on Improving Demand

Iron ore futures held near CNY 805 per ton on Friday and were on track for a weekly gain as demand for the key steelmaking input showed signs of improvement. Industry data from China indicated that hot metal output, a gauge of iron ore consumption, exceeded 2.4 million tons this week, while blast furnace capacity utilization climbed above 90%. Restocking ahead of the National Day holiday also supported the ferrous market, alongside seasonal demand from infrastructure projects. Still, rising overseas shipments and a recovery in domestic supply could cap further gains. (Source: Trading Economics)

Deutsche Bank Lifts 2026 Gold Price Forecast to $4,000/oz

Analysts at Deutsche Bank have raised their forecast for gold prices next year, saying a recent surge in the yellow metal has “further headroom to run” thanks partially to the prospect of easing U.S. interest rates and ongoing challenges to the Federal Reserve’s independence. In a note to clients, the analysts led by Michael Hsueh lifted their 2026 outlook for gold to $4,000 per troy ounce on average, up from $3,700/oz previously. (Source: Investing.com)

Zijin Gold Seeks $3.2 Billion in Hong Kong IPO as Demand for the Precious Metal Soars

China’s Zijin Gold International, keen to make the most of bullish sentiment for the precious metal, is aiming to raise $3.2 billion in a Hong Kong IPO that is set to be the city’s largest in four years. Adding to a strong recovery for Hong Kong’s equity capital market, the offering could garner as much as HK$28.7 billion ($3.7 billion) at a valuation of $24.6 billion if an overallotment of shares is fully exercised. Zijin Gold, a wholly owned unit of China’s Zijin Mining that operates all of the group’s gold mines outside China, is selling 349 million shares at HK$71.59 apiece, its prospectus showed on Friday. Trading is set to commence on September 29. It would be the largest IPO in Hong Kong since JD Logistics’ May 2021 float which raised $3.6 billion, Dealogic data showed. If the overallotment is exercised, it would be the largest since Kuaishou Technology raised $6.2 billion in January 2021. (Source: Reuters)

Nigeria Gets $1.5M Boost for Battery Recycling as All On Backs Hinckley

Nigeria is set to host its first state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery recycling and reuse facility following a $1.5 million equity investment in Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Limited by All On, an impact investment company focused on expanding clean energy access. The strategic investment, announced in Lagos, will also support the establishment of a used lead-acid battery recycling plant, positioning Hinckley as a pioneer in advancing battery circularity and sustainable e-waste management in the country. According to All On, the investment responds to the findings of its recent research on the circular economy of Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, which warned of rising environmental and health risks from poor disposal of solar batteries and other electronic waste. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is expected to reduce the cost of solar products, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy and recycling ecosystem. (Source: Vanguard News)

Closed Loop Partners Deploys New $10 Million Loan to Canadian Molecular Recycling Company GreenMantra Technologies

Closed Loop Partners announces the deployment of an over $10 million loan from its Closed Loop Infrastructure Group to Canada-based GreenMantra Technologies, a molecular recycling company at the forefront of creating specialty waxes and polymer additives from recycled polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This is the Infrastructure Group’s third loan to GreenMantra over the course of the last decade. This latest investment will be used to finance equipment to increase material processing at their existing Brantford, Ontario facility. (Source: Closed Loop Partners)

Nextloopp Receives U.S. FDA Approval for 100% Food-Grade Recycled Polypropylene

Nextloopp has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Letter of No Objection (LNO) confirming that its proprietary recycling process for recycled polypropylene (rPP) meets the requirements for direct food contact. The FDA LNO, logged as Prenotification Consultation (PNC) No. 3291, authorises Nextloopp rPP for use at levels up to 100% across all food types and under Conditions of Use A through H, spanning the full spectrum of applications—from high-temperature heat sterilisation to frozen storage. Following a detailed review of Nextloopp’s recycling process and feedstock controls, the FDA concluded that the system is expected to produce rPP of suitable purity, provided the feedstock is sourced from compliant food-contact articles. Nextloopp continues to make progress with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) review, while already being able to place resin on the EU and UK markets prior to the formal EFSA process, which typically takes two years. (Source: Recycling Magazine)

Avery Dennison’s AD CleanFlake™ Portfolio Receives Recyclass Technology Approval

Avery Dennison Corporation announced that its AD CleanFlake™ technology has received RecyClass Technology Approval, confirming its full compatibility with the PET recycling stream. This follows the RecyClass Technology Approval for the same innovation in the HDPE stream in October 2024. This development provides brand owners and converters with the confidence that their label solutions can meet stringent recycling guidelines with a clear path towards more sustainable packaging for both HDPE and PET. At Labelexpo in Barcelona (September 16-19, 2025), Avery Dennison will demonstrate how AD CleanFlake labels release cleanly from both PET and HDPE flakes during recycling. (Source: Textile World)

Electronics Recycling Pioneer ecoATM Expands into Canada, Continues Legacy of Sustainability for Customers

ecoATM, leader in e-waste recycling solutions, is growing its North American footprint with a groundbreaking expansion into the Canadian market at select Walmart locations. This expansion creates powerful opportunities for retail partners on both sides of the border, helping to divert millions of pounds of e-waste from landfills each year. According to reports, this North American expansion kicked off with ecoATM activating kiosks at Walmart stores throughout Ontario in Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Burlington. Kiosks went live the week of August 25, 2025, with grand opening events set to take place in September. (Source: ecoATM)

Batteries Plus, Dallas Cowboys Launch Multi-Year Partnership to Power National Battery Recycling Awareness

Batteries Plus announced that it has signed on as the Official Battery Recycling Partner of the Dallas Cowboys. The new, multi-year partnership combines the passion of Cowboys Nation with Batteries Plus’ mission to make battery recycling easier, safer, and more accessible in an overall effort to strengthen America’s energy independence. The partnership builds on Batteries Plus’ rapidly growing presence in the NFL, where the brand helped double recycling volumes across the state of Wisconsin in just one year. With the addition of the Dallas Cowboys, Batteries Plus aims to further elevate battery recycling efforts across Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond. (Source: PR Newswire)

Veolia and Nautilus Solar Unveil a Groundbreaking Solar Program

Veolia and Nautilus Solar Energy (Nautilus) unveiled a 6.5 megawatt (MW) solar installation in Exeter, Rhode Island, named: “Exeter Mail.” The installation is one of three that supplies renewable energy to the Rhode Island electric grid, in exchange for utility bill credits for regional housing authorities, lowering their operating costs and ultimately lowering energy prices for public housing residents. Announced in 2021, the construction of the project is now complete, and all three solar installations are supplying green energy to the Rhode Island electric grid. The collaboration between PHARI, Nautilus and Veolia is a first of its kind in the nation encompassing multiple public housing authorities under a single renewable energy contract. The Exeter Mail installation is the largest of three contracted by the housing authorities. Combined, the three sites exceed 20 million kWh annually removing approximately 13,500 metric tons of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of taking more than 3,000 cars off the road. (Source: Veolia)

EPR Program Created by the Petroleum and Automotive Industry Approved in Colorado

The Lubricants Packaging Management Association (LPMA) powered by Interchange 360, announced that the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has officially approved its Individual Program Plan (IPP), making LPMA the first industry-led Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to secure approval under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law. Colorado is the first state to give producers the choice to comply through independent programs rather than a single, one-size-fits-all PRO. LPMA’s approved IPP will manage petroleum- and automotive-related packaging, including oil and antifreeze containers, through a compliance model built by and for the lubricants industry. The approval underscores the value of independent, sector-specific compliance models. Lubricant packaging presents distinct challenges, including residual product and hazardous material handling, that general-purpose packaging programs, such as those serving all consumer packaging, are not equipped to address. LPMA’s model ensures compliance solutions that are safe, practical and effective. (Source: LPMA)

Exxon Halts €100 Million Recycling Investments Due to EU Rules

Exxon Mobil Corp. is shelving investments in chemical recycling in Europe due to what the energy giant says are overly restrictive rules on plastics. The company will pause until further notice €100 million ($118 million) of investments in recycling in Antwerp and Rotterdam, the European Union’s petroleum-trading heartland, Senior Vice President Jack Williams said in an interview. The EU is under mounting pressure to cut red tape to help industries grappling with high energy prices and myriad regulations compete in the global arena. (Source: Bloomberg)