SOUTH AFRICA – Plastic packaging manufacturer and recycler the ALPLA Group and Re-Purpose have announced a strategic partnership to advance sustainable packaging solutions and enhance the feedstock value chain for ALPLA’s first PET recycling facility in Africa.
ALPLA is investing €60 million to construct a state-of-the-art recycling plant in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.
The construction on the 90,000-square-meter site is progressing well, and by early 2025, the plant is expected to produce over 35,000 tonnes of recycled PET (rPET) annually.
Re-Purpose, based in Durban, is a market leader in the reverse logistics of post-consumer plastic waste through source-oriented collection programs.
With four material recovery facilities across KwaZulu-Natal, Re-Purpose is empowering local communities and buy-back centers to collect and divert significant volumes of plastic waste.
This model also creates hundreds of jobs and income for previously disadvantaged individuals.
The partnership combines ALPLA’s recycling expertise with Re-Purpose’s innovative reverse logistics. By joining forces, the two companies aim to develop creative solutions and promote the circular economy, creating numerous jobs in KwaZulu-Natal, neighboring provinces, and potentially across the country.
As part of the collaboration, Re-Purpose will maximize the utilization of its existing baling centers and establish new centers to facilitate PET bottle collection.
Re-Purpose will also help ALPLA build a strategic supplier base for PET bottle bales and work with key stakeholders to expand community reach and source separation programs.
The goal is to collect 5,000 tons of PET per month by 2026, the volume needed for the full-capacity operation of ALPLA’s recycling plant.
“We are thrilled to partner with Re-Purpose to accelerate our journey towards a more sustainable future. 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,” says Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of the Recycling Division at ALPLA.
Re-Purpose brings expertise in baling with state-of-the-art machinery and in developing collection models from the source.
The partnership enhances the company’s impact and promotes the widespread adoption of collection programs involving buy-back centers, waste pickers, and schools.
“We are excited to join forces with ALPLA to drive innovation and sustainability in the recycling industry. 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,” says Bevlen Sudhu, Founder and Managing Director of Re-Purpose.
Together, ALPLA and Re-Purpose are committed to developing and introducing sustainable packaging solutions that benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. This partnership marks a significant step forward towards a more circular and sustainable future.
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