ROMANIA –  Alpla Group, an Austrian-based global packaging, and recycling company, has invested in the construction of a recycling plant in Romania, as part of its sustainable packaging initiative. 

The new plant and associated buildings and infrastructure is expected to cost approximately €7.5 million (US$8.79 million). 

Alpla is undertaking the new project through a joint venture that includes Romanian manufacturer Ecohelp SRL and Swiss company United Polymer Trading AG. 

The new facility will be based in Targu Mures, Romania, and will recycle plastic granulate from PET (rPET), which will then be used to produce new preforms and bottles. 

This will help boost the local materials cycle within central and southeastern European regions. The aim is to produce 15,000 tonnes of food-grade post-consumer rPET annually. 

Günther Lehner, chairman of Alpla, said: ‘Our aim at Alpla now and in the future is to establish a bottle-to-bottle cycle – including in regions in which the collection and recycling of waste still has potential for development.” 

“By participating in this joint venture, we are taking a strategically important and sustainable step in this direction.” 

Earlier, Tetra Pak and Stora Enso, announced an investment of  €29.1 million (US$39.98 million) in boosting the recycling capacity of beverage cartons in Central and Eastern Europe.   

The investment will see the installation of a large-scale carton repulping line at Stora Enso’s Ostroleka production unit in Poland, tripling the annual recycling capacity of used beverage cartons in Poland from 25,000 to 75,000. 

Clearlake Capital Group to acquire Mold-Rite Plastics 

Meanwhile, US investment firm Clearlake Capital Group has agreed to acquire specialty packaging solutions provider Mold-Rite Plastics from Irving Place Capital. 

Mold-Rite manufactures plastic caps, jars, and child-resistant and dispensing closures with a focus on the specialty food market, as well as healthcare, wellness, and personal care sectors. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Clearlake, as the firm truly understands the packaging components industry and will help Mold-Rite capitalise on emerging growth trends,” said Mold-Rite’s president and CEO Brian Bauerbach. 

Bauerbach expects Clearlake’s operational knowledge and resources to allow the company to grow its position in the market even as it continues to innovate and provide quality products and services. 

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