EcoBlue, a Polyplex Group Company, formally inaugurated its new world class recycling facility in Rayong, Thailand on May 17, 2022. The event sought to bring together the Waste Collection Ecosystem, Consumer Brands, Packaging material producers and Financial Bodies - all committed towards the common goal of tackling the serious problem of plastic waste in the region.
Thailand is one of the largest contributors of marine plastic litter. Even though it is a signatory to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, there has not been much change in the waste collection system and practices. EcoBlue's new facility at Rayong is the first of its kind in Asia which is capable of recycling various plastic waste materials like PET water bottles, PP cups, HDPE milk jugs back into high quality resins suitable for food grade applications. With a capacity of 31,000 tons per annum for PET, it shall be able to give a new life to 2.7 billion PET bottles. Along with this, it also has the capability to recycle 10,000 tons per annum of Polyolefin waste, which largely goes to landfill or for incineration. This will help reduce approximately 64,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Set up with an investment of USD 20 Million, the plant incorporates the latest technology and an advanced wastewater treatment system to promote responsible recycling in the country.
EcoBlue's recycled resins are being used by several brands across the world to produce beverage bottles, packaging of personal care products and for use in automobiles to help brands meet their sustainability commitments. It also provides special programs for collection and recycling of ocean bound plastics as a response to the increasing marine litter problem.
"As a leading producer of plastic packaging films, Polyplex has a strong commitment towards sustainability. Flexible packaging material offers the lowest carbon footprint amongst all packaging alternatives. The key challenge remains the collection and recycling of these materials. EcoBlue was setup in 2012 in response to this need. It gives me immense pleasure to participate in the inauguration of EcoBlue's new recycling facility for post-consumer plastic waste as it brings us closer to the goal of circular economy for all plastics," said Sanjiv Saraf, Vice- Chairman of Polyplex Thailand Plc.
Pranay Jain, EcoBlue's Founder and CEO added "EcoBlue is fully committed towards tackling the problem of plastic waste and marine plastic in Thailand. As the first facility in Thailand to produce food grade recycled resins approved by the US FDA, it is ready to support the goal of circular economy in Thailand once the food contact regulations for recycled materials are approved by the Thai FDA. At a global level, the regulations relating to plastic waste management are evolving rapidly with specific measures like recycled content targets and extended producer responsibility. We look forward to similar steps being taken in Thailand which would propel further investments in the plastic recycling industry."