Netherlands to Smash Recycling Target – Helped by Tetra Pak

A new recycling plant being opened by Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams has the potential to process the entire volume of polyAl from drinks cartons recycled in Belgium and The Netherlands.

The US$3.1m plant is set to start operations in Ittervoort, The Netherlands, in the second half of 2025.

The facility will handle the non-fibre component (polyAl) from used beverage cartons, boosting the recycling capacity in the European Union.

Added capacity

Featuring an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, this second Dutch plant complements the existing 8,000-tonne capacity at Recon Polymers’ facility in Roosendaal, marking a significant increase to the region’s recycling capacity.

It also adds to the existing and well-established recycling infrastructure in the EU, where beverage cartons are recycled in 20 specialised paper mills, with polyAl currently processed by 10 facilities.

Kinga Sieradzon, Vice President Collection & Recycling, Tetra Pak, said: “We are pleased to announce this new plant, which significantly enhances the recycling capacities of used beverage cartons in the region.

“By collaborating with Yellow Dreams, we have the opportunity to exceed the Netherlands’ official recycling targets.”

Kinga added: “This is another milestone in our collaborative journey with all stakeholders across the value chain, to drive collection, sorting and recycling.

“Our ongoing investments – up to US$41.5m each year globally – reflect our commitment to advancing beverage carton recycling and supporting sustainable practices.”

Expansion as a priority

Today, drinks cartons can be and are being recycled into valuable materials for new products wherever the collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure is in place.

A Tetra Pak press release said: “Therefore, expanding this infrastructure is a priority for Tetra Pak.”

Recycled paper fibres are used to enhance the quality of various paper products, such as e-commerce boxes and shopping bags.

The protective layers of polymers and aluminium, once recycled, can replace virgin plastics or other recycled plastics in applications for injection moulding, extrusion or thermo-forming, and be used to produce a variety of goods, such as pallets, crates, outdoor furniture, flower pots and tiles.

Expanding the recycling range

Tetra Pak has collaborated intensively with Recon Polymers since 2019 to further develop polyAl recycling technology.

The project evolved into a commercial plant in Roosendaal, The Netherlands that opened in early 2021 and got an €1m injection in 2023 in a bid to increase the capacity to 8,000 tonnes per year.

The co-investment with Yellow Dreams – which is based on the same technology, helping to transform polyAl into a range of everyday items including reusable pallets, interiors and large-format 3D printed objects – is the latest step in this journey.

Bas Gehlen, Managing Director at Yellow Dreams, said: “The joint endeavour of Yellow Dreams and Tetra Pak not only showcases the potential of polyAl recycling but also sets a remarkable example of the value of collaboration towards building a circular system.

“Through this project, we are continuing to spearhead the transformation of carton recycling, leaving a lasting impact on the environment and inspiring further the adoption of circular economy practices.”

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