Enva buys into agricultural plastics recycling

Leading recycler and waste manager Enva has completed the acquisition of Ireland’s largest farm film plastic recycler ADN Materials for an undisclosed amount.  

ADN, based in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, processes  contaminated plastic film into light density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets for reuse in the manufacturing of wrapping sheet for farms and outdoor furniture.

The acquisition is said to complement Enva’s existing polymer recycling operations and will help leverage the growing market for recycled polyethylene polymers which is being driven by legislation, consumer demand and manufacturers looking for more circular production.  

Enva currently employs 1 600 people and caters to 20 000 customers via its 33 facilities across the UK and Ireland. Around 96% of all the waste processed is diverted from landfill.

Enva’s managing director Simon Dick called the business deal a ‘highly complementary’ acquisition. He believes it will create the opportunity to further develop the company’s plastics recycling activities while advancing the sustainable recovery of farm plastics into recycled products with a ‘significantly lower’ carbon footprint.

‘We look forward to continuing to support ADN’s waste producing and material reuse customers and helping realise environmental and decarbonisation benefits from closing the loop, particularly within the local agricultural sector.’

Liam Moloney, ceo of the Irish Farm Film Producers Group, adds: ‘We are delighted to see Enva enter this space. To date this material has been largely exported, which is riskier, plus the local agricultural sector has been missing out on the sustainability and decarbonisation opportunities from a closed loop solution.’