The ALPLA Group and Re-Purpose have announced a strategic partnership that will advance sustainable packaging solutions and strengthen the feedstock value chain of the company’s very first PET recycling facility in Africa.
ALPLA is investing 60 million euros in the construction of a state-of-the-art recycling plant in Ballito in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Construction of the plant on the 90,000-square-metre site is well advanced. From the beginning of 2025, the plant is expected to produce over 35,000 tonnes of recycled PET (rPET) annually. Durban-based Re-Purpose is one of the market leaders in the reverse logistics of post-consumer plastic waste through source-oriented collection programmes. With four material recovery facilities around KwaZulu-Natal, Re-Purpose is developing and empowering local communities and buy-back centres to collect and divert a significant volume of plastic waste. The model is also creating hundreds of jobs and income for previously disadvantaged people.
The partnership combines the recycling expertise of ALPLA and the innovative reverse logistics of Re-Purpose. By joining forces, the two companies aim to develop innovative solutions and promote the circular economy. At the same time, a large number of jobs will be created in KwaZulu-Natal, neighbouring provinces and potentially throughout the country.
The utilisation of its current baling centres and set up new centres to make it easier for people to collect PET bottles. Re-Purpose will also assist ALPLA in building a strategic supplier base for PET bottle bales and work with key stakeholders to expand community reach and separation at source programmes. The aim is to contribute to the collection of 5,000 tons of PET per month. This volume is expected to be required for the full capacity operation of ALPLA’s recycling plant from 2026.
Said Dietmar Marin, Managing Director of the Recycling Division, ALPLA: “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.”
Re-Purpose brings its expertise in baling with state-of-the-art machinery and in developing collection models from the source. The partnership strengthens the company’s impact and drives the widespread adoption of collection programmes with buy-back centres, waste pickers and schools.
Added Bevlen Sudhu, Founder and Managing Director, Re-Purpose: “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.” For more visit alpla.com
