Welcome to the Plastics Weekly, NEO’s regular news monitoring of the plastics industry.
This week’s highlights:
- Chinese authorities are pushing for a green transition in the courier sector, as the country’s e-commerce boom has resulted in massive packaging waste. The country aims to establish a standard system for green courier packaging by the end of 2025, and ban the use of toxic and harmful materials, according to a joint action plan unveiled by the central economic planner National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), State Post Bureau, and six other state agencies. China’s express delivery industry reportedly consumes about 1.8 million tonnes of plastic each year. (South China Morning Post)
- Coca-Cola has introduced 100% recycled PET bottles in Malaysia, a first in the country. This eco-friendly initiative includes Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 500ml bottles and is part of the company’s global strategy to incorporate at least 50% recycled content in its packaging by 2030. This sustainable packaging initiative marks a crucial step for Coca-Cola Malaysia in reducing carbon emissions, achieving environmental goals, and contributing to a more sustainable future. (ChemAnalyst)
- Electric cars (EVs) are driving China towards a phase-out of oil, but demand for plastics remains a wild card in determining the country’s peak oil predictions. Newer refiners, like Zhejiang Petrochemical Co., are focused on maximising the production of petrochemicals for the plastics and chemicals industry. And as China gets richer, it’s likely to consume more goods, often made from plastics. (Bloomberg)