Expanding plastic recycling in the US could create 173,200 jobs and generate $48.7 billion in economic output, according to an analysis from the American Chemistry Council. It is urging the federal government to support extended producer responsibility programs and set new rules for chemical recycling. "There's an opportunity to create resilient growth here, with permanent jobs that will help offset [shifting plastics markets]," said ACC's Ross Eisenberg.

The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, under the leadership of Emily Domenech, is working to keep key infrastructure projects on track during the government shutdown. The council has recalled essential staff and is coordinating with agencies. It has achieved significant progress in permitting mining projects, completing several during the shutdown, and aims to list 50 projects by year-end.

US President Donald Trump is set to relaunch engagement with China, starting with a framework agreement reached by top trade negotiators during talks this past weekend. The agreement, which is expected to be finalized during a meeting Thursday between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, is expected to include China resuming soybean purchases and delaying controls on rare-earth minerals in exchange for the US delaying new tariffs and possibly rolling back a 20% levy related to the fentanyl crisis.

Olin has reduced its earnings guidance for Q4, citing weak demand recovery in its chemical businesses. Weak housing demand, a lack of significant consumption growth in Europe and Asia, and oversupply in China are complicating the outlook for Olin's Chlor Alkali Products & Vinyls unit, which produces chlorine, caustic soda and vinyl chloride monomer, says CEO Ken Lane. However, its Epoxy unit is expected to improve due to cost-cutting initiatives and policy shifts.

Economists estimate that the ongoing US government shutdown is reducing annualized GDP growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points each week, primarily driven by declines in consumer spending and federal worker productivity. While most of the lost output is expected to be recovered once the government reopens, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more permanent the economic losses may become, particularly for affected households.

Polystyrene recycling continues to face significant challenges, particularly due to its lightweight nature, which complicates collection and processing. INEOS Styrolution is working to change that by investing in initiatives that divert PS from landfills and advocating for a holistic approach to recycling and increased collaboration between industry players. "We realized that if we want our products to be recycled, we have to do it ourselves. It only makes sense if we are investing our own money to solve it," said INEOS' Justin Riney.

US business activity increased in October to a three-month high, with the S&P Global Composite PMI Output Index reading 54.8, up from 53.9 the previous month. Manufacturing edged upward from 52 to 52.2, with the manufacturing output index rising from 52.4 to 52.8. The services sector gauge increased from 54.2 to 55.2. However, business sentiment has declined, with companies expressing concerns about trade policies, decreasing export orders and holding onto unsold goods.

Poor vision among leaders can prevent them from recognizing how managers are treating employees, which may lead to organizational problems such as eroded confidence and a lack of prompt, aligned action, says S. Chris Edmonds, an executive consultant with The Purposeful Culture Group. Edmonds highlights the importance of proactive observation and feedback systems, sharing an example of a client who uses a simple online feedb