Smart plastics recyclers create new opportunities 

The global recycled plastics packaging market could achieve 10% compound annual growth during the next seven years, according to analysts.  

Global Market Insights says the sector could top US$ 67 billion (EUR 65.3 billion) by 2032. It was worth US$ 27.7 billion in 2023, up from US$ 24.8 billion in 2022. This positive trend is encouraging considering the difficult times faced by plastics recyclers lately.  

Global expertise 

The rise in the popularity of recycled polyethylene (rPET) and other types of scrap is reflected in Recycling International’s latest annual Top 100. The 2024 list features ten recyclers dedicated exclusively to plastics: 

• #3 – Henk Alssema, owner of Vita Plastics in the Netherlands 

• #10 – Chandru Wadhwani, managing director of Extrupet in South Africa 

• #11 – Murat Özdemir, trade manager at Başatli in Turkey 

• #36 – Massimiliano Gunari, plant manager at Iren Ambiente in Italy 

• #45 – Mike Webster, director of Stop Ocean Plastics in Indonesia 

• #49 – Max Craipeau, ceo of Greencore in Indonesia 

• #65 – Caroline van der Perre, managing director of Raff Plastics in Belgium 

• #73 – Bob Daviduk, ceo of rPlanetEarth in the US 

• #77 – Sally Houghton, director at Plastics Recyclers Corporation California 

• #80 – Maryam Al Mansoori, general manager at Rebound in the UAE 

All acknowledge that positive market factors include advanced technology, recycling progress in emerging markets, more government funding, global R&D initiatives and growing consumer awareness. Recyclers believe future growth is dependent on playing the long game while creating new opportunities. 

Up for the challenge 

Of the plastics recyclers featured in the list, entrepreneur Henk Alssema is well-known for his active role within the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR). He cautions the industry needs ‘urgent action’ to implement both mandatory recycled content and extended producer responsibility (EPR) to preserve crucial recycling infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, Turkey-based Basatli frontman Murat Özdemir has been talking to end users and big brands like Coca-Cola, Nestle and Alpla. As long as virgin plastic is cheaper, he observes, they will keep using it instead of rPET. ‘For a recycler, it’s unacceptable and very frustrating to see parts of our production standing still.’ 

Chandru Wadhwani leads operations for the South African plastics recycler Extrupet. His team opened a EUR 15 million facility in Cape Town in November, which added 15 000 tonnes to the recycler’s 30 000 tonnes annual capacity. ‘We now have a seat at the table to influence future packaging decisions by big brands.’ 

Meanwhile, Maryam Al Mansoori of Rebound proves that Dubai has not been sitting still when it comes to plastics recycling. The online trading platform has grown steadily since she founded it in 2021. Al Mansoori believes the plastic recycling market in the UAE may reach 1.5 million tonnes by 2030. 

Read the Top 100 article in our latest issue >> 

You can view the Top 100 list here >>