On October 25, the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act was reintroduced in Congress. PLASTICS responded quickly and publicly to the new and more industry-threatening version on behalf of our members:
“Instead of working towards compromise and common-sense policies, this new iteration of the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act is even worse and less collaborative than previously, moving further from a realistic proposal,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of PLASTICS. “The plastics industry stands ready to work with both sides of the aisle to develop real solutions to the environmental concerns this measure supposedly addresses. We believe there are answers to the environmental challenges we face, such as investments in recycling infrastructure and greater demand for recycled content through minimum requirements and stronger end-markets."
US-EU Trade Summit on Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Ends in an Impasse
Talks broke down on Friday, October 20, between President Joe Biden, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, over trade disputes on steel and aluminum. The only resulting agreement from the summit was one that “makes progress” toward a resolution.
Time is running out; Negotiations continued between US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on October 28 in Osaka, Japan, during the G-7 Summit.
The EU and US agreed in October 2021 to pause for two years the tariffs on certain imports of European steel and aluminum imposed in March 2018 by then-President Donald Trump under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Both parties agreed to extend the pause until the end of 2023 while negotiations continue on the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum (GSA). Without an agreement, the import tariffs imposed in 2018 will go back into force in January of 2024 on certain EU steel and aluminum at 25% and 10%, respectively.
A deal on the GSA would end the US import tariffs and tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) on EU steel and aluminum as well as any retaliatory measures imposed by the EU on US products. Also being negotiated are methods to tackle global excess capacity, most notably Chinese exports, and coordination for a measure aimed to decrease carbon emissions. The EU has the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) while the US does not have a similar carbon tax. Standing in the way of an agreement seems to be the EU’s desire to end the US tariffs while the US wants the option to keep the tariffs as leverage against the EU for future disputes.
PLASTICS is a signatory on a letter to US and EU negotiators in support of a long-term solution to the trade dispute on steel and aluminum. PLASTICS opposed the import tariffs on EU steel and aluminum when they were first announced in 2018.
Out and About with PLASTICS
PLASTICS Government Affairs team member Kris Quigley recently visited Amcor at their facility in Fairfield, California where they hosted California Assembly Member Lori Wilson and State Senator Bill Dodd. Also present were representatives of Blue Bin Wines who proudly bottle their products in plastic bottles made from 100% recyclable materials. The event included lively discussion of issues facing California manufacturers, a tour of the facility, and a Blue Bin wine tasting.
The Latest from the NPE2024 Team
Does your office have interns on staff? Are you mentoring recent graduates? You can help them connect classroom learnings with real-world experience by referring them to the #NPE2024 Student Career Development Workshop. During this series of engaging sessions, students and young professionals will receive pointers on building a resume, interview best practices and more. Plus, they'll gain access to the NPE2024 expo floor and education sessions. Personalized registration codes for this complimentary program can be requested at NPE.org/students.
Be a PLASTICS Clean Up Champion
Led by the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) Community Impact Task Group, the Clean Up Champions Initiative encourages PLASTICS member companies to use the Guide to Planning a Litter Clean Up to plan and execute impactful litter clean ups within their communities. FLiP is seeking Clean Up Champions to commit to hosting a clean up event in their community in 2024. Interested? Please get in touch with Heather Nortz.
PLASTICS Sustainability Update
2024 Re|focus Sustainability Innovation Awards
The nomination period for the 2024 Re|focus Sustainability Innovation Awards is now open! The Sustainability Innovation Awards are designed to recognize outstanding innovations in plastics manufacturing that further environmental advantages in design, material, and end-of-life management. More information about the awards and key dates can be found here, and the nomination form, due by January 19, 2024,can be accessed here.
Upcoming PLASTICS Events
Complimentary Pre-Conference Webinar Recording Now Available Online
In case you missed it! Get a sneak peek of our upcoming Fluoropolymers Conference 2024 with the on-demand webinar, Fluoropolymers in Focus: Understanding Regulatory Dynamics and Technical Essentials. Discover the critical regulatory insights and market trends that will set the stage for the upcoming event. Get ahead—watch now and access the slide decks here.
December 4-8 in Austin, Texas
Vinyl Week reaches far and wide to bring the brightest minds in the industry together, gathering professionals under one roof so attendees can make the most of their valuable time. This year's events will provide opportunities to connect with executives from global companies, as well as policymakers and peers.
Roscoe Moss Company has designed and manufactured water well casing and screen since 1924, and they continue to manufacture high quality products for customers in the water industry throughout the world. Roots as a water well drilling contractor have provided the experience to understand the ever changing issues drillers face.
Lifetime Products started with one man’s desire to build an easily adjustable basketball goal for his family. Today, Lifetime is the world’s leading manufacturer of residential basketball hoops, kayaks, polyethylene folding tables, and chairs.The name is rooted in the goal of building durable lasting products for consumers and their families.
More than 150 current and retired employees recently gathered at FARREL POMINI headquarters in Ansonia, Connecticut to celebrate the company’s 175th year in business, and the 60th anniversary of the introduction of their flagship machine, the FCM™ (Farrel Continuous Mixer).
Among the attendees was 102-year-old Catherine Pelletier, who worked for the company for forty years. Catherine is pictured above with Paul Lloyd, FARREL POMINI Business Unit Director and Farrel Corporation President.
“There are very few companies that can say they have been in business for 175 years,” said Lloyd. “We are proud of our history, we are proud of our employees past and present, and we look forward to continuing to innovate and meet our customers’ needs in the future.”
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Whatever the news, if it's important to you, it's important to us, and we want to let others know.
Send your good news to Jim Moore for inclusion in our social media, newsletter, blog or PLASTICS magazine.
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