As the global energy landscape evolves, major oil companies are doubling down on petrochemicals, viewing the sector as a long-term hedge against waning demand for fossil fuels. Despite a challenging downturn for the plastics and petrochemical industries, driven by sluggish consumer demand and oversupply, investments continue to flow into this critical segment.
Busan, South Korea — As delegates from 175 countries gathered in Busan, South Korea on Monday for the fifth round of talks aimed at securing an international treaty to curb plastic pollution, lingering divisions cast doubts on whether a final agreement is in sight.
A team from Washington State University has developed an innovative catalytic process that could revolutionize the recycling of polyester plastics, widely used in textiles, packaging, and bottles. This new method enables polyester waste to be broken down into its core components in just one hour at moderate temperatures, providing a promising solution to the global plastic pollution crisis.
With the continuous advancements in plastic recycling technology, the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles has become a crucial aspect of global environmental management. However, the material differences between bottle caps and bodies complicate the recycling process, posing challenges to the development of a circular economy. This article will explore the current state of PET bottle cap recycling and innovative approaches to PET.
A new report by intellectual property firm Appleyard Lees reveals that global bioplastics patent filings surpassed 600 in 2022, marking a 10% increase from 2021. This growth reflects the rising demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. However, international patent filings fell by nearly 25%, attributed to the challenging economic climate.
Recently, global crude oil prices have surged significantly due to geopolitical tensions, which have led to a sharp increase in the costs of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) raw materials, especially PTA and MEG. At the same time, many polyester bottle chip manufacturers, particularly in China and Europe, have escalated production cuts or shutdowns. These actions could deeply impact the global supply chain, intensifying supply shortages and driving prices upward.
PET base film plays a critical role in the design of solar panel backsheets. As the global solar market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% from 2023 to 2030, the demand for high-performance materials such as PET base film is increasing. To meet this demand, Wankai New Materials Co., Ltd. offers two advanced PET resins, WK-681 and WK-711, specifically developed for solar backsheet applications, utilizing efficient and eco-friendly production processes.
As the global economy increasingly shifts towards a circular model, the transition from single-use to reusable food packaging has become a central focus. Multiple reports highlight the environmental benefits of reusable packaging over traditional recycling methods, with growing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives.
Despite the short-term uncertainty caused by the U.S. election, the impact on the Asian Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin market has been relatively limited. In fact, market reactions have been subdued, and the spot export price of PET resin in Asia has remained stable. This stability is primarily attributed to the ongoing global economic recovery and the stability of the raw material supply chain.
Daejeon, South Korea — In response to the mounting environmental challenges posed by plastic waste, a research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has successfully developed a biodegradable microbial-based plastic with the potential to replace conventional PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles.
The global PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) market is significantly influenced by geopolitical and economic factors, with Sino-U.S. trade tensions, energy policies, and currency fluctuations playing crucial roles.The depreciation of the Chinese yuan, particularly after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, further influenced China's export competitiveness, leading to a potential surge in exports. However, this comes with the risk of triggering protectionist measures in key markets.
As environmental concerns mount, the development of chemical recycling technologies is accelerating to address the plastic waste crisis. However, large-scale implementation of chemical recycling continues to face significant challenges, including economic viability, logistical issues in waste collection, and the complexity of the raw materials involved.
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