Extrusion International 5-2023-USA

12 Extrusion International 5/2023 INDUSTRY NEWS New Brand Launched – Investment in the Circular Economy The globally active ALPLA Group has been investing in building up its own recycling capacities since 2005. The plastic packaging com- pany now operates 13 plants, in - cluding four joint ventures with regional partners, and aims to be processing at least 25 per cent post- consumer material (PCR) by 2025. After investing millions in new sites in South Africa, Romania and Thai - land as well as in a site expansion in Poland, ALPLA is now consoli - dating all of its activities under the new brand ALPLArecycling. ALPLA is focusing on mechanical recycling and has invested more than 50 million euros a year in the global expansion of its activities since 2021. Thanks to new plants, the expansion of existing facili- ties, joint ventures and strategic acquisitions, the annual installed and projected output capacity has since doubled to 350,000 tonnes of PCR material. Together with the construction of a new facility in South Africa as recently announced and the site expansion in Poland, the annual capacity amounts to 266,000 tonnes of rPET (recycled PET) and 84,000 tonnes of rHDPE (recycled HDPE). Around 1.100 ALPLA employees work on recycling. In addition to the production of high-quality rPET and rHDPE at 13 plants, including four joint ventures with regional partners, the company focuses on the development of sustainable packaging solutions with a high proportion of recycled materi- als, optimum recyclability and low weight. The growing importance of the recycling sector, strong expan - sion and increasing demand have now led to the establishment of the ALPLArecycling brand together with its own website. There, you will find comprehensive informa - tion about recycling at ALPLA, the products available and the locations of the recycling plants and joint ven- tures at a glance. “Every year, we are producing more high-quality, affordable and sustainable packaging from used packaging. With our own produc- tion, development and material optimisation, we ensure quality and quantity, while also strengthen - ing regional and national recycling loops,” emphasises ALPLA CEO Philipp Lehner. Recycling plastics re- duces carbon consumption by up to 90 per cent, reduces waste and cre - ates value and jobs at the sites. “Our many years of expertise and access to our own materials give our customers a competitive advan- tage. The new brand is a clear com- mitment to recycling and to our ex- pansion plans in growth markets,” explains Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of the Recycling division at ALPLA. In the coming years, the company will intensify its activities in areas such as southern Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific re - gion. “Interest in sustainable pack- aging is growing all over the world. We are present as pioneers in all the regions of the world and are already a strong partner for future solu- tions,” says Marin. ALPLA currently processes 20 per cent PCR material and aims to in- crease this to at least 25 per cent by 2025. In addition, all packaging solutions are to be fully recyclable by then. ALPLA Group, ALPLArecycling www.alplarecycling.com Packaging and recycling specialist ALPLA processes used PET bottles as well as used HDPE packaging Dietmar Marin, Managing Director Recycling Division at ALPLA (Pictures, Copyright: ALPLA)