ALPLA's PET Recycling Plant in Ballito, South Africa Sparks Hope for a Greener Tomorrow

South Africa: ALPLA, a packaging and recycling company, has unveiled plans to construct a new Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) recycling plant in South Africa. AlPLA producing top-quality packaging systems, bottles, caps, and injection-moulded parts for a diverse set of industries. Cutting-edge technologies and the knowledge and dedication of our employees set us apart from the competition. Committed to sustainability and the environment and strive to use resources in a climate-friendly way. With over three decades of experience and our own recycling plants, are actively involved in ensuring that plastics stay in the materials cycle.

The planned facility will be situated on a 90,000m² site located in Ballito, near Durban, and will be ALPLA's first foray into the country's recycling market. It is also the first time that ALPLA is investing in a food-grade PET recycling unit in South Africa. The plant is part of ALPLA's €60m initiative, which aims to strengthen the circular economy across the region. Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin later this year, and it is expected to become fully operational by mid-2025. Once completed, the plant will have an annual recycling capacity of 60,000 tonnes (t) of PET bottles and generate 35,000t of recycled PET (rPET) materials, including flakes and pellets.

The company has announced that it will utilize rPET material primarily to produce its own bottles. Additionally, the facility is expected to increase the overall annual production capacity of the company, including all recycling companies and cooperations under the ALPLA brand. The total estimated production capacity will be 238,000t of rPET and 74,000t of recycled high-density polyethylene, contributing to the company's growth.

According to ALPLA CEO Philipp Lehner, the company is aiming for a bottle-to-bottle cycle within their operational location. This approach will ensure a consistent supply of safe, eco-friendly, and cost-effective packaging options worldwide. Additionally, ALPLA has teamed up with PETCO, a Producer Responsibility Organisation, and other local stakeholders to support the plant's development. The goal is to increase awareness and promote the use of recyclable materials in the production process.

Mike Resnicek, Finance and Commercial Director of ALPLA Africa, Middle East, and Turkey, as well as a Director and Board Member of PETCO, expressed that ALPLA has been supporting the development of the collection value chain, raising awareness in society, and discouraging landfills for years. Together with PRO PETCO, who identified KwaZulu Natal as an opportunity for enterprise development, and other stakeholders, he emphasized that local expertise, combined with a thorough understanding of the cultural and economic environment, is essential for successfully executing such a large-scale project.