Extrusion International 2-2023

36 Extrusion International 2/2023 RECYCLING – CASE STUDY “As we were trying to develop a project to produce our own tex - tiles for the automotive sector, we realized that there is a big need for recycled materials in the textile and packaging industry”, explained Gurpreet Kaur Kenth, CEO of T3. “Given the global shift from virgin to recycledmaterials with increasing consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products, there is growing need for recycled polyester in Kenya. We see the opportunity of closing the loop in Kenya through bottle-to-bottle recycling and have a number of reasons why we start - ed this project. The main one is the impact we can have both on the environment and the local commu - nities. Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. When bottles are recycled, we are reduc- ing the need for new raw materials. This helps conserve non-renewable resources such as oil and natural gas, which are used to make plastic. At the same time, bottle collection provides a source of income for the informal sector of waste pickers.” Benefits for the environment and the community The plastics recycling industry in Kenya is still in its early stages and faces challenges such as lack of input material and infrastructure, low lev- els of investment, and limited access to market information. T3 has devel - oped an extensive collection system throughout the country with the aim of building the right incentives for waste collectors, who are extremely marginalised. “Our social mission is to ensure that no one is left behind as we develop the idea of a circu - lar economy in Kenya”, said Ikreet Kenth, CTO of T3. “Uplifting the in- formal sector through the impactful methods that we use to collect the plastic waste enhances livelihoods by converting waste into a trade- able commodity, forming new trad- ing networks and businesses, and generating employment. In addi- tion, the reduction in the need for new raw materials helps to reduce environmental pollution and the carbon footprint, and to conserve re- sources for future generations.” Asked why T3 opted for a Star - linger system, Gurpreet Kenth said: “Starlinger is a leading supplier of recycling technology for plastics and has decades of experience in the field. The company has a strong track record of delivering high- quality recycling solutions with recycling lines that are designed using the latest technology. They provide great ongoing support, have top-tier engineers who ensure the machines are made to perfec - tion, and value customer relations a lot. Starlinger is a company that wants to build relations and make a difference in the world. Our shared values convinced us to go ahead with their technology. Our goal has always been to put Kenya on the global map when it comes to recy- cling, and being the first company in Kenya to produce not only rPET but food-grade recycled resin will help us to achieve that.” Starlinger recycling technology Furtherstrasse 47a, 2564 Weissenbach, Austria www.recycling.starlinger.com Megh Group www.themeghgroup.com Around 1,334,000 tons of plastic become waste in Kenya each year (UNIDO. (2021). STUDY ON PLASTIC VALUE CHAIN IN KENYA. Retrieved on Feb. 20, 2023 from https://unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2022-01/Plastic_value_chain_in_Kenya.pdf ). With the new Starlinger PET bottle-to-bottle recycling line T3 will be able to convert used PET bottles in a valuable secondary resource for new bottles and textiles (Pictures ©T3) In T3’s Athi River facility the input material is thoroughly sorted before further processing. The FDA and EFSA-approved Starlinger PET recycling process ensures safe reuse of the recycled PET in bottle-to-bottle applications