Iterum Launches the Largest PET Recycling Plant in Latvia

Iterum, formerly known as PET Baltija, has inaugurated Latvia’s largest PET recycling plant in Olaine. With a planned capacity of 80,000 tonnes per year, this facility ranks among the largest PET recycling plants in Northern Europe and is one of Latvia’s most significant industrial structures. The site covers approximately 40,000 square meters outdoors, while the indoor area spans 30,000 square meters, housing production facilities, office space, and various communal areas.

The company emphasizes that this new recycling plant is among the most advanced in Europe, featuring equipment that has only been installed in two other production facilities on the continent. The machinery was supplied by Austria-based manufacturer Starlinger, showcasing cutting-edge technology in the recycling industry.

The Olaine plant is a collaborative venture, representing an investment exceeding €35 million, with over €10 million contributed by Eco Baltia, Iterum's parent company. The facility is capable of producing 15 different grades of recycled PET, including food-grade materials, and it also has the capacity to convert production by-products, such as bottle labels and caps, into new raw materials. Almost all of its output is exported, primarily to countries like Lithuania, Germany, Finland, and Poland.

Julija Zandersone, the chairman of the board at JSC Iterum, highlighted the significance of the plant, stating, “Although Latvia is geographically small compared to other European countries, we can be proud that we capture about 5% of the PET processing market share with our high-quality production. We believe the new Iterum factory represents a crucial step towards advancing PET recycling and increasing our market share even further."

Sustainability is a core principle in the operation of the new factory. Iterum plans to utilize renewable energy sources for part of its operations and has implemented an air recovery system that repurposes excess thermal energy generated during the PET melting process to heat the facility. Additionally, the plant features innovative wastewater treatment equipment, a first for Latvia, which minimizes chemical usage in the treatment process.

The establishment of this new factory is expected to create over 250 jobs, further contributing to the local economy. Overall, Iterum's investment in the Olaine facility signifies a major step forward in PET recycling, aiming to enhance sustainability while addressing market demands effectively.

ITERUM is a leading polyethylene terephthalate (PET) processing company in Northern Europe and the largest in the Baltic region. It is owned by the Eco Baltia group, which specializes in environmental resource management. ITERUM focuses on recycling used PET bottles and is recognized as the industry leader in the Baltic countries. Its product portfolio features high-quality PET flakes and granules, including materials suitable for food packaging, with nearly 100% of its output being exported.