Page 14 from: Recycling International Jan/Feb 2025
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PLASTICS RECYCLERS MAY ENJOY POSITIVE
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Automatic sorting solutions for plastic scrap globally hit US$
15 billion (EUR 14.2 billion) in 2023.
This segment of recycling technology is expected to see steady
growth in the years ahead, according to market analysts.
Transparency Market Research reveals that automatic plastics
recycling will be worth US$ 40.7 billion by 2034, a 7.6% com-
pound annual growth over the next decade.
This growth follows the maturing plastics recycling market,
which was worth US$ 45 billion in 2023. It is likely to reach US$
129.5 billion by 2034.
Regions such as Europe and North America are leading the way
with comprehensive policies and investments, while Asia Pacific
is emerging as a key growth area due to the region’s significant
plastic consumption and waste generation.
MULTI-BILLION EURO INVESTMENT IN TÜRKIYE’S
GREENER STEEL FUTURE
Türkiye has launched an ambitious project to reduce carbon emis-
sions across critical industrial sectors, including the country’s steel
industry.
Developed in
cooperation the
European Bank for
Reconstruction
and Development
(EBRD), the
Industrial
Decarbonisation
Investment
Platform (TIBID) is
claimed to be ‘a
significant push’
for greener indus-
try practices and international competitiveness.
The EBRD is leading a EUR 5 billion investment drive for TIDIP, with
additional support from the World Bank among others. The goal is an
annual reduction of 20 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030.
TIDIP focuses on Türkiye’s most carbon-intensive sectors, including
steel, cement, fertiliser, and aluminium. Plans are underway to include
glass, ceramics and chemicals.
The initiative does not come out of the blue. The EU’s Carbon Border
Adjustment Mechanism, which imposes tariffs on imports based on
carbon footprints, has added urgency to Türkiye’s decarbonisation
efforts. As a major trading partner of the EU, Türkiye must align with
ever-strict environmental standards to protect its exports and remain
competitive in European markets.
The steel industry, a cornerstone of Türkiye’s economy, is expected to
benefit significantly from TIDIP. By promoting sustainable practices,
the initiative will enhance the industry’s appeal to eco-conscious
investors and trading partners, experts believe.
Overall, the initiative could reshape the country’s broad industrial
landscape, ensuring long-term growth and aligning with the global
transition to a low-carbon economy.
REFURBISHMENT WAVE BOOSTS EUROPE’S SEC-
OND-HAND MARKET
The European second-hand market is seeing spectacular growth,
with its value projected to nearly triple from EUR 32 billion
today to EUR 86 billion by 2028.
The growth is
fuelled by shifting
consumer prefer-
ences for sustain-
able alternatives to
new products and
the rise of refur-
bishment services,
according to
experts.
The implementa-
tion of new EU right-to-repair legislation is seen as a critical driver
of this transformation. The directive, requiring all member states to
promote repair and refurbishment by 2026, strengthens the circular
economy by encouraging longer product lifecycles and less waste.
‘Refurbishing does not merely maintain products, it transforms and
improves them,’ says Aurimas Slapšys, co-founder of Sort A Brick, a
company specialising in restoring used Lego sets. By cleaning, sort-
ing, and assembling pre-owned bricks, Sort A Brick has demonstrat-
ed the value of refurbishment.
This trend is not limited to toys. Refurbishment services are flourish-
ing across categories such as electronics and clothing. Platforms
like Tingit, which offers clothing repair and resale services, illustrate
how recommerce is evolving to cater to consumers who prioritise
both quality and sustainability.
However, consumer concerns about the safety and quality of sec-
ond-hand products persist. Slapšys notes that businesses can over-
come these barriers by emphasising quality assurance processes.
For example, IKEA’s recent foray into second-hand furniture mar-
kets in Spain and Norway, coupled with care and repair services,
demonstrates how established brands can reinforce customer confi-
dence in this sector.
EMR LOOKS FORWARD TO SOLAR PANEL RECY-
CLING
EMR is committing to a greater involvement in the solar
energy sector by joining the industry’s trade association.
Although there are limited treatment options for end-of-life
solar assets in the UK, EMR expects partnering businesses
across the supply chain within Solar Energy UK will accelerate its
efforts to increase circularity in this sector.
The development follows the recent opening of EMR’s Wind
Turbine Processing Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.
EMR says it has the capability to process a wide range of solar
panel components, mostly non-ferrous. Market development
lead Ben Lester says: ‘Joining forces with similarly focused busi-
nesses and organisations as part of Solar Energy UK represents
an exciting opportunity to share our progress, learn more about
the industry’s needs and add our voice to the call for better reg-
ulation and support for the sector, as a whole.
‘Right now, the number of solar panels that reach end of life in
the UK is very small. Yet, by 2050, the industry expects there will
be over one million panels that need decommissioning in this
country alone.
‘That gives EMR –
and its customers
and partners – a
valuable head start
when it comes to
building and scaling
up an effective circu-
lar economy for the
materials they con-
tain.’
Solar Energy UK’s 425-strong membership includes a host of
innovators and investors. Chris Hewett, chief executive, Solar
Energy UK, welcomes EMR’s involvement.
‘Demand for solar recycling services is going to expand signifi-
cantly in the coming years, particularly as first-generation assets
are retired and repowered, so EMR is wise to get ahead of its
competitors.
TOYOTA AND PARTNERS GAIN MULTI-MILLION FUNDING FOR BATTERIES
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America has received US$ 4.5 million (EUR 4.3 million) from the US Department of Energy
to support a circular supply chain for batteries.
Toyota’s research division will partner Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Waygate
Technologies.
The financial backing is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use
of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) programme.
Toyata explains the project aims to develop an ‘industry-relevant’ template for a 3R
(reduce, reuse, recycle) facility of the future. The goal is to help resolve the main
bottlenecks in current battery supply chain circularity which are the automation of
battery pack disassembly, data-driven battery classification, and cell degradation.
Together, the partners will develop tools and procedures, including:
• an automated pack disassembly process
• advanced diagnostic tools and protocols for module and cell 3R classifications
• a refabrication method for converting 3R cells into new energy systems.
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