EU shields recycling as U.S. growth signals fade - Dec 23, 2025

As of December 23, today’s news sees tighter European Union rules on plastic imports and fresh signals on the strength and potential slowdown of U.S. economic growth. The European Union will introduce stricter rules for imports of plastics, the European Commission said today, as it attempts to help European recycling plants that are struggling to compete with cheaper imports. Europe's plastics-recycling industry has lost more capacity in 2025 than in any previous year, with low-cost plastic imports and high energy costs driving plant closures in countries including the Netherlands, according to industry group Plastics Recyclers Europe. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy likely grew at a brisk clip in the third quarter, driven by solid consumer spending and business investment, but momentum appears to have since faded amid the rising cost of living and recent government shutdown. In the wind energy sector, 2025 is being forecasted as a challenging year due to a combination of policy reversals, notably under President Trump's administration, which has effectively halted offshore wind project work citing national security concerns, Reuters reported. Projects from major companies like Orsted and Dominion Energy face significant delays, prompting adverse reactions from industry stakeholders. Despite this, long-term expectations remain cautiously optimistic for 2026, as adjustments in auction policies and supply chains may drive renewed growth in the sector. On the corporate front, Alphabet has announced its acquisition of data center and energy infrastructure provider Intersect for 4.75 billion dollars. This move is part of Alphabet's strategy to bolster its computing and energy capabilities amidst an increasing demand driven by artificial intelligence developments. Meanwhile, the German government is poised to receive support from the European Commission for energy price aid aimed at sustaining manufacturing sectors dealing with high operational costs. Initiatives include capping energy prices for smaller companies, which further underscores the EU's focus on protecting industries from external competition. On the global stage, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday he was "sad" about U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed expression of interest in acquiring the Arctic territory.