Polysmart invests US$60M in Nigeria’s largest plastic recycling plant to accelerate circular economy

NIGERIA – Polysmart Packaging Limited, a pioneer in food-grade rPET production in Nigeria, has announced a landmark US$60 million investment to build what will become the country’s largest and most technologically advanced plastic recycling facility.

The first phase is scheduled for commissioning in March 2026, with full completion expected by July 2026.

The expansion reinforces Polysmart’s growing role in Nigeria’s transition toward a circular economy, strengthening local recycling capacity, reducing reliance on imported virgin plastics and creating large-scale employment across the waste management and manufacturing value chain.

The facility will be equipped with cutting-edge systems, including a Sorema Plastic Recycling System, TOMRA sorting technology, and two Erema Vacunite 2621T V-LeaN SSP units.

These technologies will enable the plant to process multiple polymer streams, with a focus on producing high-quality, food-grade rPET compliant with both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.

In addition, the facility will manufacture non-food-grade HDPE, LDPE and PP recyclates.

“This is a transformative moment for Nigeria’s green economy,” said Polysmart Managing Director and CEO Wasiu Abolaji Balogun.

“The US$60 million investment is not just in machinery and infrastructure; it’s an investment in the human capital of Nigeria. We anticipate generating thousands of new direct and indirect jobs across the waste collection, sorting, technical and operational segments of the value chain.”

The plant will have an input capacity of 100,000 tonnes of mixed plastics annually, making it the largest in the region.

Polysmart estimates that it will be capable of recovering and recycling more than 5.5 billion PET bottles per year, significantly diverting waste from landfills, waterways and ocean systems.

By ramping up local production of certified rPET, the company aims to support Nigeria’s food, beverage and FMCG manufacturers with reliable, domestically sourced materials, reducing foreign exchange pressure and cutting dependence on imported virgin plastics produced from crude oil.

The expansion aligns strongly with the country’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.

The new facility is expected to deliver carbon savings of up to 170,000 tonnes, conserve energy and raise overall recycling efficiency within the region.

Polysmart is working closely with federal and state environmental regulators to ensure compliance with global safety, environmental and circular-economy standards.

Once complete, the project is anticipated to position Nigeria as a regional hub for sustainable manufacturing and green technology, strengthening West Africa’s footprint in recycled packaging materials.

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