Aliplast, the plastics recycling arm of Italian utility group Hera, has opened its R3GID recycling plant in Modena, Italy, with capacity for up to 30,000 tonnes a year of recycled polymers from rigid plastic waste. The EUR 48.8m (USD 54.8m) investment includes EUR 7.7m (USD 8.7m) from Italy's national recovery plan and uses Nextchem's NX Replast technology, targeting recycled-content demand under the EU PPWR and End of Life Vehicles rules.
Why this mattersThe plant adds scarce European rigid-plastics recycling capacity against a 2040 shortfall Hera puts at 5.7m tonnes, cutting Italian manufacturers' reliance on imported recycled polymer.
- Capacity of up to 30,000 tonnes of recycled rigid polymers a year
- Total investment of EUR 48.8m (USD 54.8m), including EUR 7.7m (USD 8.7m) from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan
- Output has certified purity above 99%, with properties said to be comparable to virgin plastics
- The technology was developed with Nextchem using its NX Replast upcycling process
- The plant uses treated water and power from Hera's adjacent Modena wastewater and waste-to-energy facilities
- Hera says the plant avoids about 30,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions compared with virgin plastic production
Borouge International is investing to expand mechanical recycling output at its Niedergebra, Germany and Wildon, Austria plants, adding close to 9 kilotonnes of recycled mixed polyolefin and up to 5 kilotonnes of recycled polyethylene capacity respectively. The Niedergebra expansion is expected on stream in the first quarter of 2027 and the Wildon expansion in the fourth quarter of 2027, aimed at meeting rising customer demand for circular polyolefins driven partly by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Why this mattersMore European recycled-polyolefin capacity improves packaging converters' access to recycled content as PPWR mandates approach, easing a tight supply chain.
- Niedergebra, Germany (formerly mtm plastics) to add close to 9 kilotonnes of annual recycled mixed polyolefin (rPO) capacity, operational Q1 2027.
- Wildon, Austria (formerly Ecoplast) to add up to 5 kilotonnes of annual recycled polyethylene (rPE) capacity, on stream Q4 2027.
- Borouge International's Elin Pelin, Bulgaria plant already produces over 20 kilotonnes a year of recycled polypropylene (rPP).
- Borouge Group International AG was formed in 2026 by combining Borouge Plc, Borealis and NOVA Chemicals, backed by ADNOC's XRG and OMV.
- The company also supplies recycled PE film grades from a plant in Indiana, US, as part of its North American circular materials offering.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has extended the exemption for food-contact rigid plastic packaging under the state's Recycled Content Law in a memorandum dated 4 September 2026, moving its expiry from 18 January 2027 to 31 December 2029, so post-consumer recycled content is required only from 1 January 2030. NJDEP said food-grade PCR technology is not yet at sufficient scale, described the supporting research as deliberative and confidential, and said it had not sought input from recyclers, suppliers, brand owners or manufacturers. Non-food rigid containers and beverage and glass containers are unaffected and still move to 20 per cent recycled content in 2027.
Why this mattersA three-year delay in one of the largest US state PCR mandates removes near-term demand certainty for food-grade recycled resin, a template other states have followed.
- NJDEP's 4 September 2026 memorandum extends the food-contact rigid plastic packaging PCR exemption from 18 January 2027 to 31 December 2029, under N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.144(b).
- Non-food rigid plastic containers remain at 10% PCR, rising to 20% in 2027.
- Plastic beverage and glass beverage containers have required 15% PCR since 2024, rising to 20% in 2027 and to 50% in later stages.
- NJDEP cited limited food-grade PCR supply and technology readiness, and said the underlying research is deliberative and confidential.
- Recycler Plastic Recycling Inc. says food-grade resin projects developed over two years have been paused and some supply deals cancelled.
- APR, NAPCOR and The Recycling Partnership say NJDEP did not consult recyclers, suppliers, brand owners or manufacturers before issuing the extension.
- NJDEP expects food-grade PCR availability and technology to be more robust by 1 January 2030 and has reserved the right to extend the exemption further.
