ALPLA Group, a global leader in plastic packaging solutions, and Re-Purpose, a South African company specializing in reverse logistics of post-consumer plastic waste, announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the plastics recycling cycle in South Africa.
Focus on Circular Economy and Job Creation
This collaboration focuses on advancing sustainable packaging solutions and supporting the feedstock value chain for ALPLA’s first PET recycling plant in Africa. ALPLA is investing €60 million to build the state-of-the-art facility in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, expected to be operational by early 2025 with a projected annual capacity of over 35,000 tonnes of recycled PET (rPET).
Re-Purpose’s Expertise in Reverse Logistics
Re-Purpose, a leader in source-oriented collection programs, operates four material recovery facilities across KwaZulu-Natal. They empower local communities and buy-back centers to collect and divert significant volumes of plastic waste. This model fosters job creation and income generation for disadvantaged communities.
Collaboration for Increased Collection and Innovation
By combining their expertise, ALPLA and Re-Purpose aim to develop innovative solutions and promote the circular economy. Re-Purpose will expand its existing baling infrastructure, establish new collection centers, and collaborate with ALPLA to build a strategic supplier base for PET bottle bales. Additionally, Re-Purpose will work with stakeholders to increase community outreach and expand separation-at-source programs. This collaboration aims to achieve a collection target of 5,000 tons of PET per month by 2026, sufficient to meet the full capacity of ALPLA’s recycling plant.
Sustainability and Market Goals
“We are thrilled to partner with Re-Purpose to accelerate our journey towards a more sustainable future,” said Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of the Recycling Division at ALPLA. “This collaboration allows us to expand our portfolio of packaging solutions made from recycled PET material, offering our customers in the region innovative alternatives that align with their sustainability goals.”
Driving Change and Achieving Targets
“We are excited to join forces with ALPLA to drive innovation and sustainability in the recycling industry,” said Bevlen Sudhu, Founder and Managing Director of Re-Purpose. “By combining ALPLA’s extensive recycling experience with our reverse collection model, we are expanding the circular economy and supporting manufacturers in achieving the required EPR targets.”
This partnership demonstrates a commitment to building a strategic supplier base for PET recycling and developing sustainable packaging solutions that benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment.