Now’s the time to invest in plastics sorting tech, says Dutch metals recycler

Rising costs, low or no margins, shifting global trade patterns and a slow economy: Plastics recyclers across Europe are under structural pressure, with one after another business going bankrupt. And yet, some believe plastics recycling is still worth investing in. 

Among the true optimists is Dutch metals recycler Myne, formerly known as Reukema. Within the business unit Myne Circular Plastics, the company has acquired the intellectual property rights and equipment of Umincorp’s magnetic density separation technology. The EUR 3 million investment was made possible by investment from parent company Myne Holding and Invest-NL.

Important basis

With this acquisition, Myne Circular Plastics claims to have secured its position in the field of sustainable recycling solutions. ‘The technology provides an important basis for the further development of high-quality, mechanical recycling methods, aimed at the efficient processing and reuse of plastics,’ says the company.

‘Umincorp’s technologies are a valuable addition to our portfolio and perfectly match our ambition to become a leading player in circular raw materials,’ comments company ceo Martijn van de Poll. ‘Thanks to the collaboration between Myne and Invest-NL, we can accelerate technological development and prepare for the scaling up of capacity in the coming years.’

The separation technology will initially be used for metal/plastic combinations. Myne expects the demand for recycled plastic to increase significantly from 2030 onwards, when national legislation requiring the use of recycled plastic in packaging is introduced.

Rebranding pays off

Myne claims to be among the leading and most innovative metal recyclers in the Netherlands. In 2023, the company underwent a rebranding and changed its name from Reukema to Myne, ‘illustrating the strategic shift from traditional recycling to a circular approach.’

Myne sorts metal waste by alloy using artificial intelligence and robot technology. The company is working closely with partners such as TU Delft to develop technologies that can be deployed worldwide.

The company processes some 150 000 tonnes of metals per year.