Since 2005, ALPLA Group has been investing in building up its own recycling capacities. The plastic packaging company now operates 13 plants, including four joint ventures with regional partners, and aims to be processing at least 25 per cent post-consumer material (PCR) by 2025. After investing millions in new sites in South Africa, Romania and Thailand as well as in a site expansion in Poland, ALPLA is now consolidating all of its activities under the new brand ALPLA recycling.
The company is focusing on mechanical recycling and has invested more than 50 million euros a year in the global expansion of its activities since 2021. Thanks to new plants, the expansion of existing facilities, joint ventures and strategic acquisitions, the annual installed and projected output capacity has doubled to 350,000 tonnes of PCR material. Together with the construction of a new facility in South Africa and the site expansion in Poland, the annual capacity amounts to 266,000 tonnes of rPET (recycled PET) and 84,000 tonnes of rHDPE (recycled HDPE).
Says Philipp Lehner, ALPLA CEO: “Every year, we are producing more high-quality, affordable and sustainable packaging from used packaging. With our own production, development and material optimisation, we ensure quality and quantity, while also strengthening regional and national recycling loops. Recycling plastics reduces carbon consumption by up to 90 per cent, reduces waste and creates value and jobs at the sites.”
Added Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of the Recycling division, ALPLA: “Our many years of expertise and access to our own materials give our customers a competitive advantage. The new brand is a clear commitment to recycling and to our expansion plans in growth markets. In the coming years, the company will intensify its activities in areas such as southern Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Interest in sustainable packaging is growing all over the world. We are present as pioneers in all the regions of the world and are already a strong partner for future solutions.”
ALPLA currently processes 20 per cent PCR material and aims to increase this to at least 25 per cent by 2025. In addition, all packaging solutions are to be fully recyclable by then. The company has been part of the New Plastics Economy, an initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, since 2018.
Concluded Günther Lehner, Chairman of the Company Advisory Board: “We firmly believe in plastic as a recyclable material and in the success of closed bottle-to-bottle loops. With our commitment, we want to create infrastructure in as many countries as possible, raise awareness and thus generate added value for the environment, economy and society.” For more visit alpla.com
