Polysmart invests in Nigeria’s largest plastics recycling plant

Polysmart Packaging Limited is investing EUR 55 million to build what it describes as Nigeria’s largest plastics recycling facility.

The first phase is scheduled for commissioning at the end of March with full completion planned for July. The plant will process 100 000 tonnes of mixed plastics annually.

Much-needed progress

The project marks a major step for Nigeria’s recycling sector. The country, home to around 232 million people, generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year but officially recycles only about 15%. Against this backdrop, new large-scale capacity is critical.

Polysmart will focus on producing food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin and flakes compliant with European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.

In addition, the facility will recycle high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) for non-food applications.

High purity, high impact

The site will integrate Sorema washing lines, Tomra sorting systems and two Erema Vacunite 2621T V-LeaN SSP units. Together, these technologies will enable multi-polymer processing and high-purity output suitable for demanding packaging markets.

According to md and ceo Wasiu Abolaji Balogun, the investment goes beyond infrastructure. He says the project will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across collection, sorting and plant operations, strengthening Nigeria’s domestic recycling value chain.

5.5 billion bottles

At full capacity, the expanded facility is expected to recycle the equivalent of more than 5.5 billion PET bottles annually. This will significantly reduce plastic leakage into landfills, drainage systems and waterways.

The development also supports import substitution. By producing certified food-grade rPET locally, Polysmart aims to reduce reliance on virgin polymer imports and foreign exchange outflows, while supplying Nigeria’s food and beverage sector with locally sourced secondary raw materials.