Plastipak announces major rPET investment in Spain

Plastipak Packaging Inc. is investmenting in recycling at its manufacturing site in Toledo, Spain. The new recycling facility will convert PET flake into food-grade recycled PET (rPET) pellets suitable for direct use in new preforms, bottles and containers.

The recycling plant will produce 20 000 tonnes of food-grade pellet per year and will commence production in the summer of 2022. It will be co-located with the current preform and container manufacturing plant facilitating additional carbon savings through the elimination of resin transport. The site is thought to create 14 new jobs while adding manufacturing and warehouse space.

‘The investment in a new recycling facility in Spain will support both Plastipak and our customers in fulfilling our commitments to corporate social responsibility,’ says Pedro Martins, Plastipak’s executive managing director Europe. ‘The project comes in advance of minimum levels of recycled content mandated by the Single Use Plastics Directive, and will support brand owners to reduce their financial obligations under the planned Spanish plastics tax.’

The new site represents Plastipak’s fifth global location producing recycled PET and cement sits position as the largest producer of bottle-grade recycled PET in Europe. With three long-established rPET facilities in Europe (France, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom), Plastipak already produces well over 130 000 tonnes of recycled PET in Europe. Plastipak also operates a HDPE and PET recycling plant in the US.

‘With over 30 years recycling expertise, Plastipak has led the way in the PET circular economy, with our long-standing business strategy of bottle-to-bottle recycling, using the output to directly support our preform and bottle manufacturing,’ comments Jack Pacente, VP Global Sustainability. ‘We are delighted to announce this latest round of significant investment to support the growing demand for rPET in the Spanish market.’

Plastipak is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plastipak Holdings Inc., which currently operates over 60 sites in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, with more than 6000 employees.