A new study sponsored by the environmental group WWF says that people could be ingesting a credit card sized amount of microplastics every week.

At the Chinaplas trade fair, Borouge Pte Ltd. said China's decision to boost standards for water pipe was prompting the company to invest in new capacity for more specialized pre-compounded grades of polyethylene. Growing demand for better pipe in other parts of Asia as well as Africa also support the investment, a Borouge executive said.

One thing that came through during discussions at Chinaplas, particularly from machinery manufacturers, was the caution in spending as companies in China wait to see what happens with escalating U.S. tariffs.

One thing that came through during discussions at Chinaplas, particularly from machinery manufacturers, was the caution in spending as companies in China wait to see what happens with escalating U.S. tariffs.

Chinaplas shifted from the usual focus on Asia's growing middle class, toward the risks for the industry if it doesn't address plastic waste and ocean pollution concerns.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said June 10 his government would seek to ban "harmful" single-use plastics as early as 2021, and require companies to take responsibility for collecting and recycling products.

Arguing that recycling alone won't address plastics pollution, two members of Congress called on President Donald Trump to convene federal agencies to develop a national strategy to limit single-use plastics and reduce waste.

The U.S. Agency for International Development will spend $35 million to support plastic pollution cleanup in developing countries in Asia, in partnership with the industry-funded investment firm Circulate Capital.

Vermont lawmakers passed one of the toughest U.S. laws on plastics packaging, banning bags and EPS food service packaging. The vote came as California lawmakers moved ahead on their own bills setting high bars for single use plastic recycling.

Chinese compounder Top Polymer Enterprise will delay a $15 million investment in its first factory in the U.S., near Atlanta, as supply chains and profits take a hit from rising tariffs.

The Verbund plant will launch with an engineering plastics compounding production capable of turning out 60,000 metric tons per year.

German machinery maker KraussMaffei Group GmbH is building a new plant in China that will double its capacity there, as the company expects to see China play a larger role both as a source of research and as a machinery export base.

Industry groups warn a May 10 decision by the U.N.'s Basel Convention to put more limits on plastic scrap trade could unintentionally harm recycling. But U.N. officials, NGOs and some recyclers are saying it's needed change to reduce environmental problems from scrap exports to developing countries.

Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis overruled the state's legislature and sided with cities that want to ban plastic straws. DeSantis took issue with the bill, saying he could see no reason for the state government to be involved.

A United Nations body voted May 10 in favor of a framework putting more restrictions on exports of plastics scrap. It's seen as a way to control plastics pollution and give developing countries more control, but industry officials warned of unintended consequences.