We are just weeks away from ISRI2024, the largest industry event in the world taking place in Las Vegas. ISRI2024 offers incredible networking opportunities as well as strategic and unmatched educational tracks. ISRI2024 consists of seven specialized, educational tracks that offer something for everyone.
Track 5: Markets & Trade focuses on all commodities and is for those responsible for the buying and selling of products that come out of a recycled materials facility, i.e.- ferrous metals (iron, steel); nonferrous metals (aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, tin and precious metals); stainless steel and high-temperature alloys; plastics; recovered fiber (paper, corrugated, cartons); tires/rubber; electronics; glass; and textiles.
Spotlight on Ferrous
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45 a.m. – Noon
Recycled iron and steel market participants had a challenging year in 2023 amid softer U.S. manufacturing output, the United Auto Worker (UAW) strike, commodity price volatility, industry consolidation and reduced export sales. With large U.S. steel capacity expansion plans in the works and rebounding global demand expected, 2024 should offer opportunities for growth. Join a panel of industry leaders and expert analysts to learn where steel recycling companies can grow this year.
Moderator: Joseph Pickard, Chief Economist and Director of Commodities, ISRI
Headwinds and Tailwinds: Global Trends and Developments that Will Impact Recycled Materials Industry
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45 a.m. – Noon
Demand for recycled materials by manufacturers will be driven by a multitude of factors this year, ranging from economic and social, to political and policy decisions. It is crucial that recyclers who trade are aware of potential headwinds (and tailwinds) that will impact their businesses. While global manufacturing is expected to grow globally in 2024, it will likely do so unevenly across different regions of the world. This panel of association executives will focus on market trends and recent developments around the world and will provide insight for recyclers that seek to trade recycled materials abroad.
Moderator: Jacqueline Lotzkar, Vice President, Pacific Metals Limited
Speakers: Roger Amarante, Founder and Executive Director, National Brazilian Recycling Institution; Julia Blees, Secretary General, European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC); Arnaud Brunet, Director General, Bureau of International Recycling; Amar Singh, Secretary General, MRAI, Material Recycling Association of India
Innovation in Partnerships and Processes for ITAD & Recycled Materials
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45 a.m. – Noon
The ITAD and electronics recycling industry is ripe with opportunity. In this session highlight those opportunities, including reverse logistics partnerships, technology, automation, software, AI and processing and outputs for particular material streams (e.g. e-plastics, critical metals, etc.).
Moderator: Matthew Young, President, Electronics Value Recovery, Inc.
Speaker: Joseph LaChance, Sales Operations Manager, Regency Technologies LLC-Stow; Jeff Gloyd Revenue Lead, BinIt; Patrick Nee, VP, Strategic Partnerships and Founder, Cyclic Materials
Spotlight on Nickel /Stainless
Tuesday, April 16, 2 – 3:15 p.m.
For North American nickel and stainless-steel recyclers, market conditions are increasingly being influenced by global market developments and supply chain issues. Uncertainty regarding nickel trading at the commodity exchanges and potential trade barriers have only complicated matters. Leading U.S. stainless steel producers and recyclers will share their insights on the big market developments you can expect this year.
Moderator: Doug Kramer
Speakers: Salim Bhabhrawala, Critical Materials Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy; Joseph Pickard
Chief Economist and Director of Commodities, ISRI; Tamara Weinert, President and CEO BA America, Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC
Spotlight On Paper – The Recycled Paper Industry, 2024 and Beyond
Tuesday, April 16, 2 – 3:15 p.m.
Post COVID-19, the recycled paper industry has risen and then fallen and is now on a rise. What is in store in 2024 and beyond? Find out about the current state of the recycled fiber market, both domestically and internationally, the future trends of the industry, and how technology has been and will continue to benefit the industry.
Moderator: Marissa McNees, Managing Editor, Recycling Today Media Group
Speakers: Johnny Gold, President, The Gold Group Recycling Consultants LLC; José González, Director, AFRY, AFRY Management Consulting
Focus on Southeast Asia – Will it Always Be a Growth Market for Recycled Materials?
Wednesday, April 17, 8:45 – 10 a.m.
As Southeast Asia attracts new investment and grows as a global hub for manufacturing, it continues to be a growth market for the export of recycled materials from the United States and other countries. As governments in the region increasingly focus on environmental protection, sustainability and increasing recycling rates, determine if these actions dampen demand for imported recycled products. The panel will focus on developments in the region and how potential action by governments will impact market demand for exports of recycled materials.
Moderator: Josephita Harry, Vice President Sales – Non-Ferrous Metals, Pan American Zinc
Speakers: Zulma Herrera, Chief Operating Officer, Davis Index; Terence Soh, Steel Plus Trading
Spotlight on Electronics
Wednesday, April 17, 8:45 – 10 a.m.
The Electronics Spotlight is a look into the future. Learn about what’s new from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and regulators. Examine how economic trends will affect electronics reuse and recycling, and other factors in technology, society, and the environment will impact electronics recycling businesses.
Moderator: Adam Shine, President, Sunnking Sustainable Solutions
Speakers: Ted Briggs, Sustainability Program Manager, Google; Holly Evans, Senior Vice President, Environmental Policy and Legal Affairs, Responsible Business Alliance; Mark Newton, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Samsung Electronics America
Spotlight on Tires: Fire Safety Practices and Prevention Equipment
Wednesday, April 17, 8:45 – 10 a.m.
ISRI’s Tire and Rubber Division is set to deliver an informative session on the latest developments in ISRI’s Fire Safety Practices for Tire Recycling Facilities. Additionally, speakers will facilitate a discussion on the most recent technological enhancements and innovations in fire safety and prevention equipment. This comprehensive document, collaboratively crafted by ISRI-member companies, showcases practical approaches and cutting-edge advancements in fire prevention and safety for tire processing operations.
Moderator: Kyle Eastman, VP, Crumb Sales & Development, Liberty Tire Recycling LLC
Speakers: Glenn Cohen, Alberta Environmental Rubber Products; Troy Hess, Mahantango Enterprises Inc; Mike Hinsey, Liberty Tire
Spotlight on Aluminum
Wednesday, April 17, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
The U.S. aluminum recycling industry continues to transform itself as major aluminum mill expansions are raising questions about domestic recycling capabilities in a supply-constrained world. Disruptive trade measures, geo-political risks and the transition to electric vehicles are all shaping the outlook for the recycled aluminum market. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the trajectory of the U.S. aluminum recycling industry with our panel of industry experts.
Moderator: Neil Neuberger, Trader, Intra American Metals Inc (Intrametco)
Speakers: Mary Hlepas, Vice President of Purchasing Imperial, Group-Minerva; Joe Tomolo, Trader – Aluminum, Sims Alumisource; Ibrahim Yucel, Principal Consultant, CRU Group
Spotlight on Recycled Plastics Industry: COVID to Post COVID
Wednesday, April 17, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
COVID-19 presented many challenges to the recycled plastics industry and those challenges continue. Find out what challenges 2024 will bring including technology, legislative issues and other external pressures on the industry.
Moderator: Ganesh Nagarajan, Sr. Director, Plastics Waste Management
Speakers: J. Scott Saunders, GM, KW Plastics, Recycling Division
Collaboration Between U.S. and Chinese Recycled Materials Industries
Wednesday, April 17, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
China had been historically the largest recycled materials importer in the world, but in recent years, it has sought to enhance its environmental and sustainability practices by increasing domestic recycling rates. Meanwhile, since implementation began more than five years ago by the Chinese government, its National Sword policy has reduced imports of recycled materials, such as plastics, paper and certain metals. However, many manufacturers within China have expressed a desire to increase recycled imports, particularly of certain metals. The panel will evaluate ways that U.S. and Chinese recyclers can continue to collaborate, despite certain headwinds impacting trade in recycled materials.
Spotlight on Copper
Wednesday, April 17, 2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Recyclers of copper and copper alloys are looking forward to a better 2024 as global copper mine supply disruptions and the increased demand generated by electrification have put copper in the spotlight. The resurgence of secondary copper production in the U.S. has only added to the bullish outlook. This year’s ISRI Spotlight on Copper brings together major industry participants and analysts for a conversation about the future of U.S. copper recycling that you won’t want to miss.
Moderator: Brian Shine, CEO, Manitoba Corporation
Speaker: Edward Meir, Senior Commodity Consultant, Marex
Basel Updates
Thursday; April 18; 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
The latest decisions by the Basel working groups will impact electronics recycling beginning in January 2025. This panel will focus not just on the technical regulations but also the actions processors need to take. A review of the current challenges in e-plastics will also be a part of this innovative session.
Moderator: Adam Shaffer, AVP, International Trade & Global Affairs, ISRI
Speaker: Craig Boswell, President, HOBI International Inc.