Global supply of some recycled plastics may face shortage

摘要

According to commodities firm ICIS,increased demand for recycled polymers for use in food-grade packaging may cause supply shortages.In addition,mixed-recycling chains,logistical issues associated with sorting and separating,and reduced tensile strength will pose challenges to recycled-content targets for food packaging.Even though some recycled materials,such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate(R-PET),are relatively easily collected due to one large source of post-consumer materials,others have a wide array of end-uses,which makes collection difficult.In addition,ICIS expects that collection rates for post-consumer material in the EU may be insufficient to meet industry targets.This development will come as European firms must comply with the EU's Plastics Tax,which had led to a rush to purchase recycled high-density polyethylene(R-HDPE)in 4Q 2020.By Jan.,virgin high-density polyethylene blow molding prices surged on tight supply,which has already prompted some suppliers of R-HDPE to push prices higher with light pellets having gained €10($12.12)/mt so far in Jan.Meanwhile,demand for R-PET across the EU is expected to be rebound in HI.