ALPLA, a global leader in sustainable plastic packaging solutions, has strengthened its position in the South American market by entering the HDPE recycling sector in Brazil. Through its ALPLArecycling division, the company has joined forces with Clean Bottle, acquiring a majority stake in the Brazilian recycling firm to form a joint venture. The partnership focuses on producing high-quality, post-consumer recycled material (rHDPE) to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

Located in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Clean Bottle's recycling plant boasts an annual output capacity of 15,000 tonnes of rHDPE. This facility, equipped with advanced infrastructure and sustainable features such as rainwater treatment systems, supports ALPLA’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting a circular economy. The site also employs around 120 people, further contributing to local economic development.

Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of ALPLArecycling, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment. “Demand for sustainable packaging solutions made from recycled plastic is growing across all continents. By partnering with Clean Bottle, we are ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality post-consumer recycled material for our Brazilian operations, enabling our customers to reduce their CO2 emissions,” Marin stated.

This venture is part of ALPLA's broader strategy to achieve its global recycling goals. The company already uses 32% post-consumer recycled material in its Brazilian HDPE packaging production, with plans to increase this percentage further. Christoph Schneider, Regional Managing Director for South America, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Brazil marks the beginning of our recycling activities in South America, and the choice of partner is critical. Clean Bottle, as a long-standing supplier with shared quality standards, is the perfect collaborator for this endeavor.”

The founders of Clean Bottle—Leandro Tanaka, Adriano Tanaka, and Jadir Voltoline Junior—will remain integral to the joint venture’s management, bringing decades of expertise. The partnership also benefits from Clean Plastic Group's collection center in Curitiba, which will be expanded to support the joint venture’s growth.

“For over 35 years, we have been a vital link in the circular economy, adding value to used plastics,” said Leandro Tanaka, Managing Director of Clean Bottle. “Joining forces with ALPLArecycling allows us to take the next step and grow together as a strong partner for the packaging industry and society.”

While the partnership agreement has been finalized, competition law approvals are still pending, and financial details remain undisclosed. This collaboration underscores ALPLA’s commitment to advancing sustainability and supporting a circular economy in the global packaging industry.