BIR Convention Focuses on Longer Term Prospects of Plastics Recycling Sector

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Plastics Committee noted that alarm bells are ringing louder and louder for plastics recyclers. At the same time, the Committee shared the view that longer term prospects tend to look bright for plastics recycling sector.

While speaking at the BIR World Recycling Convention recently held in Budapest, Hungary, Henk Alssema, Chairman, BIR Plastics Committee stated that slowdown in global economic growth, uncertainties surrounding trade restrictions and specific issues such as high stock levels pose threat to the industry in the near term. However, the initiatives by industry-leading companies to significantly increase recycled plastic content in their products coupled with recent dramatic advancements in plastics recycling technologies promises bright future for the sector in the longer term.

According to Rob de Ruiter, guest speaker at the Convention, some of the emerging recycling technologies may take a few years to achieve commercialization. However, the technologies seem to be unavoidable, he said. Further, he added that pyrolysis is likely to emerge as the ‘big factor’ in future.

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The Convention also focused on the latest developments across various regional markets. The members reported slow scrap demand in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The market conditions in France too were reported to be not the best. The Southeast Asian market conditions were described as challenging.