The ALPLA Group and Re-Purpose announce a strategic partnership that promotes sustainable packaging solutions and strengthens the value chain of ALPLA’s first PET recycling plant 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 meter site is well advanced. From the beginning of 2025, over 35,000 tons of recycled PET (rPET) are to be produced annually. Durban-based Re-Purpose is a market leader in reverse logistics of post-consumer plastic waste through source-oriented collection programs. With four material recovery facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, Re-Purpose develops and empowers local communities and buy-back centers to collect and divert significant amounts of plastic waste. At the same time, the model creates hundreds of jobs and income for previously disadvantaged people.
The partnership combines ALPLA’s recycling expertise and Re-Purpose’s innovative reverse logistics. By joining forces, the two companies aim to develop innovative solutions and promote the circular economy. At the same time, a number of jobs will be created in KwaZulu-Natal, the neighboring provinces and potentially throughout the country.
Circular economy and waste reduction
As part of the collaboration, Re-Purpose will maximize the capacity of the existing baling centers, build more and make it easier for people to collect PET bottles. Re-Purpose will also help ALPLA build a strategic supplier base for PET bottle bales and work with key stakeholders to increase community outreach and source separation programs. 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 utilization of ALPLA’s recycling plant from 2026.
“Path to a more sustainable future”
“We are delighted to accelerate our journey towards a more sustainable future by partnering with Re-Purpose. With this collaboration, we are expanding our portfolio of packaging solutions made from recycled PET material and offering our customers in the region innovative alternatives for their sustainability goals,” says Dietmar Marin, Managing Director Recycling Division at ALPLA.
Re-Purpose contributes its expertise in pressing with state-of-the-art machines and in the development of collection models at the source. Through the partnership, the company strengthens its influence and accelerates the broad introduction of collection programs with buy-back centers, waste collectors and schools. “We are delighted to be working with ALPLA to drive innovation and sustainability in the recycling industry. By combining ALPLA’s extensive recycling experience with our reverse collection model, we promote the circular economy and support manufacturers in achieving the required EPR targets,” says Bevlen Sudhu, Founder and Managing Director of Re-Purpose.
Together, ALPLA and Re-Purpose are committed to the development and introduction of sustainable packaging solutions that benefit companies, consumers and the environment alike. This partnership is an important step towards a more circular and sustainable environment.
Picture at the top: Re-Purpose relies on an innovative reverse collection model, creating numerous jobs in the region. Photo: ALPLA
