RCS Group has officially begun construction of a new plastics recycling facility in Werne, northern Germany, following a groundbreaking ceremony.
The company is investing EUR 75 million in the project in which a new site for RCS Plastics will be developed on a 6.5-hectare area. The facility is intended to expand the group’s plastics recycling activities and create additional closed-loop material cycles.
The new site will operate independently and include production, logistics, administration, maintenance and service areas. It is planned to process HDPE cap closures, PS, PET trays and beverage bottles into recyclates for a range of applications.
High-quality recyclates
Once operational, the facility is expected to recycle around 100 000 tonnes of plastic material a year. A particular focus will be on producing high-quality recyclates, including materials suitable for food packaging.‘With this investment, we are laying the foundation for further growth and simultaneously strengthening the circular economy,’ says Gerd Francke, managing partner of the RCS Group.
A key element of the project will be the development and production of food-grade recycled material from HDPE caps. RCS Group aims to establish itself among the pioneers in food-grade HDPE recycling and develop processes that can open up additional material cycles.
Food-grade HDPE
‘The development of food-grade HDPE recyclates is one of the major challenges facing our industry,’ adds md Alexander Rimmer. ‘We are investing specifically in innovative processes to open up new material cycles and make recycled materials usable in even more applications.’
The project has received support from the participating authorities, the district government and the city of Werne. The investment is also expected to bring employment opportunities to the region. Around 60 new jobs are planned at the facility, including approximately five apprenticeships. Construction is due to be completed between the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
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