Welcome to the latest edition of the BIR information service for members, the BIR eBrief . This overview of BIR’s activities is published regularly, in order to keep you abreast of the most important ongoing actions within your world recycling federation.

In this edition you will find:

Update on China:

BIR World Recycling Conventions:

World Recycling Convention in London : enjoy a business weekend and combine with LME week
Proceedings of last Convention in Barcelona provide valuable market intelligence

PR & Communications

World Statistics on E-Scrap Arisings finalised and printed
BIR World Mirrors on Non-Ferrous Metals, Ferrous Metals and Stainless Steel & Special Alloys
BIR Membership Directory in preparation

Legislation / Environment

China consults on revision of its law on the "Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes"

On 11 July, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of the People’s Republic of China opened their draft revision of the Law on the « Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes » for public consultation. The public consultation is open until 18th August 2018. After approval by the State Council and the National People's Congress publication is expected mid-2019 and entry into force. Some provisions of the law directly relate to import of scrap, such as Art. 29 which “… forbids the import of solid wastes” (…) Read more

Sino-US trade war having little impact on China's recycling industry

US taxation plans regarding US$ 200 billion worth of Chinese products are still creating uncertainties and various short-term effects on the financial markets, and China will take corresponding measures to reduce the negative impact. On March 23 this year, the US administration implemented tariffs of 25% and 10% on, respectively, imported steel and aluminium (…) Read more

BIR member associations and companies around the world discuss Strategy for Recycled Content

BIR member associations and companies in the EU lead call for Recycled Content Mandates for Plastics in European Law

So far the European Commission’s Plastic Strategy fails to make markets for recycled plastics, as voluntary actions are too slow and too weak and give no legal certainty.

EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries Coalition, GREMI, Galloo Plastics, TOMRA are amongst European associations and companies calling for EU Action on Recycled Content Mandates for Plastics. The action calls: for “minimum recycled content requirements for plastic products and packaging”; and for “eco-modulation of fees paid by producers”; besides seeking “innovative approaches through economic incentives and penalties” to encourage recycling of plastic. The Position Paper is available for download HERE

ISRI brings together American Recycling Associations on Recycled Content

In May, ISRI organized a meeting of groups representing various segments of the recycling industry to discuss ways to better collaborate to advance the industry as a whole. The initial meeting was an open discussion aimed at identifying ways throughout the recycling stream to improve quality, increase demand for material, and promote products made with recycled content.

The group released the following statement of cooperation:

“As representatives of the complete recycling chain, we understand that improving the quality of the recycling stream and increasing the demand for recyclables in the manufacture of new products will deliver economic and environmental benefits nationwide. We commit to actively engaging with one another to enhance the nation’s recycling systems, while simultaneously continuing our own organizations’ work to influence change.”

Other organizations participating with ISRI include: American Forest & Paper Association; AMERIPEN; Association of Plastic Recyclers; Keep America Beautiful; Northeast Recycling Council; National Recycling Coalition; National Waste & Recycling Association; Plastics Industry Association; The Recycling Partnership; Southeast Recycling Development Council; Sustainable Packaging Coalition; and Solid Waste Association of North America.

The United Kingdom's National Audit Office publishes report on the UK's "Packaging Recycling Obligations"

The National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament and is independent of government. This high-quality report on the UK's "Packaging Recycling Obligations" gives much insight into the effectiveness, cost and oversight of the special Extended Producer Responsibility system by which it complies with obligations from the EU's Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive (…) Read more

Conventions

World Recycling Convention in London: enjoy a business weekend and combine with LME week

The upcoming BIR World Recycling Convention in London promises to provide, amongst many other topics, additional insight into China’s trade situation as the overall market dynamics remain unchanged.

The registration for the event opened in early July, resulting in a vivid response from BIR member companies and exhibitors. You can download the list of already registered companies HERE.

For companies involved in the non-ferrous metals business, attending our Convention will also enable you to attend LME week without having to travel twice. And moreover, the LME offers special attendance conditions for BIR members.

Beyond the above, here are the top 10 reasons why attending the 2018 BIR World Recycling convention in London is a must:

1. Ideal business platform
The BIR London Convention 2018 is set to offer the ultimate forum for the recycling business to meet hundreds of key players from all over the world under one roof. More business. More networking. More opportunities. Over just one weekend.

2. Global networking opportunities
Hundreds of participants from over 50 countries will attend the event. Connect in the exhibition, at the networking areas, in the exclusive Gold Member Lounge, drink receptions, and the Welcome Evening at the spectacular East Wintergarden, nestled among the iconic towers of Canary Wharf.

3. Key insights into the future of the recycling industry
Expand your knowledge and exchange best practices with business experts, thought-leaders and policy shapers looking at market trends and the key challenges facing the various recycling commodities of our industry.

4. Location, location, location
London is the most connected city on the planet, with direct flights to 380 destinations. An easy-to-reach destination for BIR members traveling from all around the globe. (...) Read more

Proceedings of last Convention in Barcelona provide valuable market intelligence

During the plenary meetings of our last event in Barcelona, a wealth of economic and legislative information was provided, and therefore the proceedings are a valuable source of market data with forecasts that can be very useful for your business.

You will find the detailed version in English, as well as a condensed version in French and German, in order to get the full account of what was discussed during the plenary sessions. You can access this information using your personal login and password.

Public Relations / Communications

World Statistics on E-Scrap Arisings finalised and printed

At the last BIR World Recycling Convention in Barcelona, the BIR E-Scrap Committee announced the publication of the first-ever study on e-scrap flows conducted by a team of experts at the Harokopio University of Athens, led by Professor Katia Lasaridi. Their evaluation of real data and extrapolation of figures from around 180 countries indicate that global e-scrap generation is set for a more than 30% increase in less than a decade.

The world will be generating an estimated 53.9 million tonnes of e-scrap by the year 2025 as compared to 41.2 million tonnes in 2016 - equivalent to an annual growth rate of just over 3%. And the fastest growth is likely to be seen in the Asia-Pacific region where generation of e-scrap is expected to surge from 3.6 kg per inhabitant in 2016 to 5 kg nine years later.

Over the nine years from 2016 to 2025, and when taking into account rising population, per-capita generation of e-scrap is forecast to climb around 20% worldwide from 5.6 kg per year to 6.7 kg. In addition to the Asia-Pacific region, generation growth is predicted over the 2016-2025 period for all other regions of the world: from 1.5 kg to 1.8 kg in Africa; from 9.7 kg to 11.9 kg in Eastern Europe; from 6 kg to 6.8 kg in Latin America & the Caribbean; from 21.9 kg to 24.1 kg in the USA & Canada; and from 20.2 kg to 22.6 kg in Western Europe & others.

The statistics have now been printed as part of the BIR series ‘Global Facts and Figures’, in addition to World Steel Recycling in Figures, Global Non-Ferrous Scrap Flows and Recovered Paper Markets.

BIR member companies will receive one hard copy free of charge and can order additional copies from the BIR Secretariat.

BIR World Mirror on Non-Ferrous Metals - Issue July 2018

President's Opening Remarks: Beware the spread of China's regulatory stance

Recently, I was interviewed by American Metal Market regarding the impact of the trade tariff war and China’s regulatory changes. The journalist asked me whether falling market prices and emerging new markets represented the “New Norm”? My reply was that all recyclers have been left scratching their heads looking for an answer to the question of what is the “New Norm” (...) Read more

BIR World Mirror on Ferrous Metals - Issue July 2018

Foreword by the Interim President: Scrap demand remains strong despite wider uncertainties

Welcome once again to the Ferrous Division’s Mirror report. Since we met in Barcelona, the ferrous scrap market has continued in a positive vein despite concerns at the time that caution was needed, particularly given the uncertainties going forward. Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen a gradual cooling in prices as Turkey has stepped back, buying at lower levels with the pressure on finished product prices (...) Read more

BIR World Mirror on Stainless Steel & Special Alloys - Issue July 2018

Foreword by the Chairman: Order intake downtrend more pronounced than normal

The summer months have brought a significant slowdown in order intakes among Europe’s stainless producers. This trend has been more significant than in previous years and can be explained only partly by seasonal factors. The main reason has been the ongoing uncertainty over Section 232, which regulates US import duties on stainless material (...) Read more

BIR Membership Directory in preparation

BIR members are currently being contacted by Publishing Events, a London –based publishing house that has been producing the Directory on behalf of BIR for the last three years. Printed in A4 format, the Membership Directory provides all the key information on around 800 companies and national associations in 70 countries and provides unique opportunities for advertising and brand enhancement.

A copy of this ‘Who’s Who’ of the global recycling sector will be sent out for free to each BIR member organisation in the course of October. While the directory is not available in electronic format, BIR members can access the online directory in the Members Only section of the BIR website.

BIR is delighted to welcome 9 new members since end of June 2018 !

CINERGIE INC. from United Arab Emirates
INESFA - BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF IRON AND STEEL SCRAP COMPANIES from Brazil
ALUCON LIMITED from Cyprus
FESTHARYS INTERNATIONAL - FZCO from United Arab Emirates
GRETA METAL PTE LTD from Singapore
MAHAVIR TRANSMISSION LIMITED from India
PRODIGO S.A. from Poland
REVUE RECYCLAGE RECUPERATION from France
SCHUPAN & SONS, INC. from USA