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30 Extrusion International 3/2026 30 INDUSTRY NEWS systems. While HIPS is widely utilized in Mexican dairy packaging due to its adequate performance character- istics, recovery rates have been limited by fragmented infrastructure and unpredictable end-market demand. The partnership addresses these systemic challenges by promoting forward-looking commitments from partici- pating brands, creating the economic certainty neces- sary for sustainable investment in collection and pro- cessing capacity. “We want to thank the Mexican Plastics Pact for part- nering with us on this important, circular initiative,” said Justin Riney, Chair of the Polystyrene Recycling Alliance. “Circularity depends on system alignment – not mate- rial substitution. When collection, processing, and mar- ket demand are coordinated, polystyrene can continue delivering value within a modern circular economy. The framework being established here offers insights that are relevant well beyond a single market.” “Accelerating circularity requires the collaboration of all actors of the value chain to ensure that the materi- als complete the loop,” said Lisseth Cordero, Member of the PPMX and CEO of ECOLANA. “This partnership allows us to strengthen the system around high impact polystyrene – testing practical solutions, generating re- al-world insights, and demonstrating how collaboration across the value chain can advance broader circularity goals in Mexico.” TheMexican Plastics Pact, operating as part of a global network of thirteen national initiatives focused on plas- tic pollution reduction, provides essential coordination among businesses, government agencies, academic in- stitutions, and civil society organizations. This collabor- ative framework enables the development of compre- hensive solutions that integrate technical innovation, logistical optimization, and market development to es- tablish practical insights on improving recovery systems for currently challenging plastic packaging formats. Over a 14-month implementation timeline, thepartner- ship will validate collection methodologies, demonstrate processing capabilities, formalize brand agreements, and develop enhanced design guidelines to improve recy- clability. The results will provide data-driven insights into recovery performance, processing economics, and value chain alignment that can inform broader regional pack- aging circularity strategies. Together, PSRA and PPMX are establishing a scalable framework for strengthening high-impact polystyrene recovery systems – supporting durable, market-based circularity solutions across Latin America and informing broader North American efforts to integrate this mate- rial into sustainable packaging systems. Polystyrene Recycling Alliance (PSRA) www.PSRecycling.org New Recycling is Real Video Released The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released a new video as part of its Recycling is Real advocacy initiative, spotlighting recycling op- erations at Dow and Circulus facili- ties in Arab, Alabama, and Ardmore, Oklahoma. The video highlights the work taking place inside these facili- ties – where used plastics are sorted, processed, and transformed into ma- terials that can be used again in man- ufacturing. Since launching in 2023, PLASTICS’ Recycling is Real campaign has pro- duced 23 videos featuring both me- chanical and advanced recycling fa- cilities nationwide. Each video centers on the people behind the process – the dedicated employees whose work supports recycling systems in communities across the country. “At companies like Dow and Circulus, you see circularity in ac- tion – from processing materials to preparing them for reuse across the supply chain,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). “Recycling is Real brings that work to the forefront, showing how peo- ple, technology, and infrastructure come together to keep materials in use and support a more circular economy.” “We believe it takes a materials ecosystem to help reduce plastic waste and create a circular econ- omy,” said Ahmad Kawas, North America Commercial Vice President of Dow’s Packaging and Specialty Plastics business. “Bringing togeth- er value chain partners from collec- tion, design, manufacturing and the end consumer allows us to unlock the value of plastic. And that is what we are doing by combining Dow’s materials science expertise with Cir- culus’ lm recycling technology to expand the circular offerings we are generating for customers.” The Recycling is Real campaign provides educational content to help elected of cials and policymak - ers better understand recycling’s role as a critical link in the circular economy. By showcasing real fa- cilities and the people behind them, the initiative offers a rsthand look at where and how recycling occurs across the country – highlighting the technologies, processes, and workforce driving progress, while underscoring the importance of continued investment in U.S. recy- cling infrastructure. Previous featured locations include Atlanta, Georgia; Kingsport, Tennes- see; Madison, Wisconsin; North Ver- non, Indiana; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Portland, Pennsylvania; Eagle Rock and Wytheville, Virginia; Rialto and Chino, California; Piqua and Ironton, Ohio; Reidsville, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; Houston, Texas; Farmingdale, New York; Hilliard, Ohio; Plymouth, Michigan; Reading, Pennsylvania; and Eugene, Oregon. Dow www.dow.com Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) www.plasticsindustry.org