APK Set to Commence Construction on New Newcycling Plant

The commencement of construction work on the new APK factory is on the horizon for this year. Spearheaded by notable investors such as LyondellBasell and Kirkbi A/S, this ambitious project marks a significant step forward. The initiative kicks off with essential ISO certifications and the establishment of initial product supply contracts, setting the stage for an innovative venture in plastic recycling.

The impetus for this endeavor is rooted in the European Commission's initiative, which mandates the incorporation of recycled plastic in packaging and envisions extending this practice to the automotive sector in the future. This initiative provides a conducive framework for APK's expansion and the construction of additional plants dedicated to their cutting-edge Newcycling technology. This technology encompasses both physical and solvent-based processes, offering a comprehensive approach to plastic recycling.

In the early months of 2023, global chemical industry leader LyondellBasell and Kirkbi A/S, the family holding company with investments in the Lego brand, joined forces with APK AG and other entities. Together, they committed to invest 130 million euros in the construction of a Newcycling plant. The plant's primary objective is to utilize mixed flexible plastic packaging waste to produce high-quality recycled LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) products.

The demand for such high-quality LDPE recyclates extends beyond the packaging industry, with a notable surge anticipated in response to the European Commission's plans for vehicle recyclability and recycling quotas. This dynamic aligns with the growing interest in sustainable practices within the automotive sector.

APK AG achieved a crucial internal milestone in the summer of 2023, as the independent testing and certification entity TÜV Rheinland certified APK AG according to ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems. This certification, alongside ISO 14001 for environmental management systems and ISO 50001 for energy management systems, underscores APK AG's commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and energy efficiency.

More than half of the new plant's recycled LDPE production is already earmarked for sale, marking a promising development. As 2024 unfolds, the planning and construction of the Newcycling plant are progressing at a commendable pace, reflecting the company's dedication to advancing sustainable plastic recycling solutions.

APK, founded in 2008, set out with a mission to achieve the highest degree of purity in plastic recycling from plastic waste. The ultimate goal is to replicate the properties of virgin plastics, effectively closing the life cycle of the material. The Newcycling process, a groundbreaking plastic recycling technology developed by APK researchers and engineers, integrates both mechanical and solvent-based steps. This process has been successfully scaled to an industrial level at the Merseburg plant in Germany.