Targu Mures [Romania]: Alpla Group, an Austrian packaging and recycling firm, has opened their first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) recycling plant in Targu Mures, Romania. This advanced facility can produce up to 18,000 tonnes of rPET from household waste per year - a move intended to promote the circular economy in South-East Europe and create a reliable source of food-grade recycled PET.

Alpla, Ecohelp and United Polymer Trading recently completed construction on a new €7.5m ($8.2m) plant. This was a collaborative effort between the three partners as they worked together to bring the plant to life after nine months of hard work.

Georg Lasser, the director of recycling for Alpha's business development, procurement, and sales, stated “The growing importance of local recycling processes calls for increased commitment in the region.

“Together with our partners, we combine strengths, increase the processing quality of the recycled PET material and ensure the long-term supply of the southeast European market.”

Alpla and its partner celebrated the official opening of a new plant that produces high-quality rPET granulate from PET flakes. With one extrusion line already operating, the facility has enough space to add another, which could double its capacity. The occasion marked more than just a production milestone as the plant also created around 20 jobs. On 4 May, Alpla will host a ceremony at the site to commemorate the occasion.

Mihail Moloiu, general manager of PET Recycling Team Targu Mures, stated “The collaboration is a great example of how to improve local recycling and ensure sustainable economic development.

“We are filling a gap in the market for high-quality recycled material in Romania and neighbouring countries.”

Alpla Group announced a joint venture between Alpla, UPT and Ecohelp this autumn. This venture combines the company's recycling expertise, distribution networks and materials supply networks to produce food-grade rPET granulate that is then used as the starting material for new preforms and bottles. The production site of the venture was opened last October in Lanseria, South Africa - located in the industrial area north of Johannesburg, the site features 35,000m² of covered production, administration, and storage space.