Advance circularity with recycling, reuse, and waste valorization solutions and insights.
24 articles in this focus area
The PERN Loophole: How UK Plastic Waste Exports Challenge Recycling Targets
UK plastic waste exports remain central to the packaging recovery system, with PERNs providing recycling evidence for overseas processing. Tighter 2026 evidence rules could reshape export economics, compliance risks and sourcing decisions across the plastics supply chain.
Aug 27, 2026 · 8 min read
Chemtrade Logistics' Annual Meeting: What Unitholder Votes Reveal About Circular Byproduct Strategy
Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund announced voting results from its annual meeting of unitholders, a governance touchpoint for a company built around processing and reselling industrial byproducts. For procurement teams managing surplus chemicals and circular supply chains, this governance signal reveals strategic priorities around byproduct sourcing, regulatory compliance and long-term supply security.
Jul 20, 2026 · 7 min read
Microporous Membranes Cut Energy Use in Chemical Separations
A new microporous membrane technology enables energy-efficient chemical separations relevant to circular economy goals around reducing the energy intensity of purification and recycling. For procurement teams managing solvents, polymers and separation processes, this innovation signals potential operational cost savings and sustainability compliance advantages.
Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Mixing Matters: Why Heterogeneous Reaction Systems May Be Riskier Than Assumed
A preprint claims that failing to properly mix reactions in heterogeneous or industrial systems could cause numerous issues and might even be dangerous. For procurement teams managing chemical supply chains, understanding these mixing risks affects supplier qualification, safety audits and quality consistency expectations.
Jul 20, 2026 · 8 min read
Disappearing Polymorphs: The Billion-Dollar Crystal Science Mystery Behind Drug and Chemical Recalls
From crystallographers' beards to billion-dollar lawsuits, the phenomenon of disappearing polymorphs where stable crystal forms suddenly vanish has puzzled chemists for decades. For procurement teams managing pharmaceutical and specialty chemical supply chains, understanding this crystal science mystery matters for quality consistency, supply security and liability risk management.
Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Disappearing Polymorphs: The Billion-Dollar Crystal Science Mystery Behind Drug and Chemical Recalls
From crystallographers' beards to billion-dollar lawsuits, the phenomenon of disappearing polymorphs where stable crystal forms suddenly vanish has puzzled chemists for decades. For procurement teams managing pharmaceutical and specialty chemical supply chains, understanding this crystal science mystery matters for quality consistency, supply security and liability risk management.
Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Mining Waste as a Circular Resource: The Metals Being Discarded Every Year
Huge quantities of metals and other elements are discarded each year in mining waste, an underexploited circular economy opportunity industry researchers increasingly flag. For procurement teams managing metal and micronutrient supply chains, understanding this resource recovery pathway could reshape sourcing strategies as sustainability pressures intensify.
Jul 20, 2026 · 9 min read
US Plastics Pact's Composting Blueprint: Building Infrastructure for Compostable Packaging
The US Plastics Pact released a resource highlighting sustained investment, supportive policy frameworks and coordinated system design needed to advance a circular economy for food and packaging. For procurement teams managing packaging resin portfolios, this blueprint signals shifting infrastructure priorities and sourcing verification requirements.
Jul 20, 2026 · 8 min read
TSCA Fee Authority Renewal in 2026: What Chemical Buyers and Suppliers Should Expect
The 2026 TSCA fee authority renewal could reshape regulatory oversight for chemical recycling and substitution claims. Procurement teams, importers and suppliers should understand how these policy changes may influence compliance, sourcing and market access.
Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read
REACH Revision Delay: What It Means for Circular Material Substitution in Europe's Chemical Market
The delayed REACH revision continues to shape sourcing decisions across the European chemical industry. Procurement teams, importers and exporters must navigate uncertain rules around circular material substitution while preparing for future regulatory changes.
Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Biogas to Biomethane: Scaling Circular Waste Feedstock Infrastructure Across Europe
Circular waste feedstock infrastructure is reshaping the biomethane market across Europe. Explore how waste-based biomethane projects influence supply chains, procurement strategies and long-term investment decisions for industry buyers.
Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Rubber and Polymer Circularity: Why R&D Hubs Are Expanding Compounding Capacity
Investments in rubber and polymer circularity are reshaping product development, quality control and supply security. This article explains why expanding R&D hubs and compounding capacity matter for procurement teams, manufacturers and global chemical traders.
Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Paperboard Without the Fiber: How New Microspheres Are Transforming Sustainable Packaging Materials
Packaging manufacturers are reducing fiber consumption while maintaining board performance through advanced microsphere technology. See how low dosage microspheres improve paperboard bulk, lower production costs and create new sourcing opportunities for procurement teams.
Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Closing the EV Battery Loop: What Europe's New Recycling Investments Mean for Battery Material Trade
Europe's expanding EV battery recycling infrastructure is reshaping the supply chain for critical battery materials. Procurement teams, traders and industrial buyers should understand how these investments influence sourcing, pricing and long-term supply security.
Jul 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Substances of Concern: What ECHA's December 2026 Packaging Report Means for Chemical Suppliers and Buyers
ECHA's December 2026 packaging report could reshape chemical compliance across Europe's packaging value chain. Understand how procurement teams, exporters and chemical suppliers should prepare for possible regulatory changes affecting substances of concern.
Jul 14, 2026 · 6 min read
EPR Fee Modulation: How Recycled Content Changes Producer Economics and Procurement Strategy
EPR fee modulation is changing how manufacturers evaluate recycled content across their supply chains. Procurement teams that optimize supplier selection today can reduce compliance costs while strengthening long term competitiveness.
Jul 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Chemical Recycling vs Mechanical Recycling Under 2030 Recycled Content Targets
Mandatory recycled content targets from 2030 are reshaping plastic packaging procurement strategies worldwide. This guide explains how chemical recycling and mechanical recycling compare, where each fits and what procurement teams should consider when planning long term sourcing.
Jul 14, 2026 · 5 min read
PFAS in Packaging: Why the 25 ppb Threshold Matters for Food Contact Supply Chains
The new PFAS thresholds under the PPWR will reshape food packaging procurement long before wider PFAS restrictions arrive. Understand what the 25 ppb limit means for chemical suppliers, formulators and procurement teams preparing for compliance.
Jul 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Mass Balance Accounting Explained: How Recyclers Claim Recycled Content Under PPWR
Mass balance accounting plays a central role in chemical recycling under the PPWR. Understand how recycled content claims work, why traceability matters and what procurement teams should evaluate when sourcing circular materials.
Jul 14, 2026 · 5 min read
EU PPWR Enters Force, What August 2026 Rules Mean for Chemical Packaging Suppliers
The EU PPWR has started reshaping packaging requirements for companies supplying chemicals into the European market. Understand what the August 2026 rules mean for procurement teams, exporters and packaging suppliers preparing for long term compliance.
Jul 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Just-In-Time Manufacturing's Death and Circular Buffer Stock
Recent supply chain disruptions have renewed debate over the limits of just-in-time manufacturing. For organisations pursuing circular economy strategies, maintaining strategic inventories of recycled and secondary raw materials may improve both supply resilience and resource efficiency, particularly where feedstock availability is naturally variable.
Jul 13, 2026 · 4 min read
PET Recycling and the Packaging Value Chain: PPWR Progress and Supply Security
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is reshaping the pet recycling landscape, pushing brands to increase recycled PET (rPET) content. This article explores how PPWR drives demand, the importance of certified rPET supply, and strategies for securing compliance in a circular economy.
Jul 13, 2026 · 4 min read
Post‑Consumer Chemical Recovery: The Hormuz Crisis Case for Domestic Circular Feedstocks
The 2024 Hormuz crisis exposed fragilities in global feedstock supply chains, spotlighting the resilience of post‑consumer recycled chemicals. This article explores how domestic circular feedstocks reduce procurement risk, advance sustainability, and strengthen the circular economy.
Jul 13, 2026 · 3 min read
BASF Loopamid (Recycled Nylon) and the Circular Chemical Supply Chain
BASF's Loopamid demonstrates how recycled nylon can strengthen both sustainability and supply chain resilience. For procurement professionals, the value of circular feedstocks extends beyond carbon reduction to include improved sourcing security, regional supply diversification, and reduced dependence on vulnerable global petrochemical trade routes.
Jul 13, 2026 · 4 min read
