Episode 1465: Sustainably Speaking: Recycling markets face near-term strain despite long-term optimism

About this episode

The episode discusses the current state and future outlook of the recycling market, highlighting challenges and opportunities.

PRSE 2026 highlighted a fragile but cautiously optimistic recycling market, shaped by Middle East disruptions, weak demand, and regulatory uncertainty. Across mechanical, chemical and emerging sectors, investment and long-term targets persist, but near-term capacity, demand visibility, and policy clarity remain key challenges. Join ICIS recycling editors and analysts as they recap their conversations from the event and the main takeaways from the two days in Amsterdam. Helen McGeough: International players remain committed to Europe long term, investing in rPET and polyolefins despite weak demand, while flagging certification complexity and the growing role of EPR-driven demand globally. Mia McLachlan: Polyolefins markets show cautious optimism, with Middle East disruption boosting recycler demand but exposing LDPE capacity shortages and highlighting the gap to meet 2030 PPWR targets. Nazif Nazmul: Chemical recycling faces a worsening mismatch between sustainability targets and financial backing, with weak offtake commitments and insolvencies (e.g. Plastics Energy) signalling risk to capacity growth. Carolina Perujo Holland: Textile recycling is emerging but complex, with major…

People in this episode

Host: ICIS

Topics covered

• recycling market
• sustainability
• investment
• regulatory challenges
• chemical recycling
• textile recycling
• demand visibility

Keywords

• recycling
• sustainability
• investment
• demand
• regulations
• chemical recycling
• textile recycling
• EPR
• LDPE
• rPET

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PRSE 2026, Plastics Energy

More episodes of ICIS - chemical podcasts

• Episode 1473: Think Tank: Chemical distributors adapt to Middle East war impact · June 11, 2026 · 29 min
• Episode 1472: Sustainably Speaking: Making food grade rPOs commercially viable · June 9, 2026 · 25 min
• Episode 1471: Think Tank: Oil spike risk to $150 threatens chemical industry, economy · June 2, 2026 · 33 min
• Episode 1470: APIC '26: PODCAST: Olefins, vinyls players process post-war impact of Chinese exports · May 29, 2026 · 11 min
• Episode 1469: APIC '26: PODCAST: MMA downstream stays pessimistic despite easing feedstock concerns · May 28, 2026 · 7 min
• Episode 1468: PODCAST: Asia acetic acid in roller coaster ride amid Middle East strife · May 25, 2026 · 15 min