Robin Latchem

London

Editorial Consultant. at Recycling International

Journalist and Consultant at Freelance

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Articles

Packaging innovation boosted by partnership

1 week ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

Under the formal agreement, Novelis will become part of Meadow’s network of supply chain partners for aluminium, a network which also includes Ball Corporation, DRT Holdings and C-CARE. The agreement supports the mutual goal of using more recycled material in the consumer packaging market. Meadow, which was founded in Stockholm in 2020, markets a metal pre-filled container which is fitted into packaging across multiple industries, including personal care, beauty, food and beverages.
Germany drives AI-enabled textiles passport

1 week ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

Product labelling specialist Tailorlux is working with the SKZ plastics research centre in the KIMaTex project to simplify current challenges in the textile industry, such as traceable quality and reuse. Developing a reliable product passport should mean lower costs and a step towards a more circular economy. Reliable analysisA measuring system for recording spectra and images is being developed in combination with AI to determine the ingredients in textiles.
‘Every word we use is a choice’

1 week ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

He said it was vital to build a ‘language of trust’: ‘Just doing the right things is often not enough. When an industry focuses on things that matter to their audience, when they describe them in ways that are easier to relate, people will want to be connected to that industry and to support it.
EU steel producers feel impact of US tariffs

2 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

The European Steel Association (Eurofer) says the general economic situation remains weak, affecting both steel demand and consumption. Any recovery is not expected until next year. The new 50% tariffs imposed by President Trump on 4 June are seen as a further blow to an already weak European steel market.
Packaging major claims 'early mover' role on recycled content • Recycling International

2 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

Their D-Pak cartons are made from recovered paperboard, coated with thin layers of polymers to protect the product inside. The thin plastic layer in the new cartons will initially contain 10% post-consumer polyethylene (PE). The other 90% of the PE fraction is polymers sourced from vegetable-based waste such as used cooking oil. The upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requires producers to use recycled content in the plastic fraction by 2030.
EAFs in Japan get big cash injection

3 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

The steel producer is being supported by EUR 1.53 billion in Japanese government funding to boost capacity by 2.9 million tonnes by 2029 through the expansion of its electric arc furnace (EAF) portfolio.
Chinese superalloys in western airline engines?

3 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

Markus Moll, md of German consultancy SMR, told the stainless steel committee session that the US had been the biggest producer of superalloys but China was now in first place. Even so, he pointed out, the Chinese had not yet entered the key class market of rotating parts in jet engines made from superalloys. ‘They do produce high performance alloys; they do it for their military contracts, of course.
‘If one more thing goes wrong, it's over for us’ • Recycling International

3 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

‘I spoke with the director. He looked at me and said, “Henk, we’re just about holding on but if one more thing goes wrong, it’s over for us”.’ Alssema shared the chilling example during the plastics division session in Valencia. He emphasised this was not a rare story but one typical of the recycling industry – with a few market exceptions. ‘We see the same signals everywhere: pressure on margins, on stock levels, on liquidity, but also on people.
‘Low ambition’ kills off global plastic pollution treaty

3 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

This frustrating state of affairs was set out for members of the Bureau of International Recycling during the plastics division session at their Valencia convention. It was described during an update from BIR’s trade and environment director Alev Somer. ‘We’ve been negotiating [at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee] since November 2022 and have reached the point where there was no agreement at the end of what was supposed to be the final session,’ said Somer.
'Tackle three big fears, paper sector told' • Recycling International

3 weeks ago | recyclinginternational.com | Robin Latchem

Keynote speaker Brian Henesey, vp of Rocky Mountain Recycling in the US, told the BIR paper division at the Valencia gathering that such an approach was essential because cross-border trade pressures were putting sustainability under threat. He insisted the global recycling industry was built on interdependence. ‘We’re witnessing a steady erosion of that framework,’ Henesey warned. ‘Tariffs, export bans and nationalistic policies are challenging the very foundations of our cross-border trade.