#Italy #Bologna #plastic recycling #Aliplast #Kronos Polymer

Aliplast Reinforces Leadership in Plastic Recycling

Aliplast, part of the Hera Group, is making significant strides in the high-quality plastic recycling sector with its recent acquisition of a 70% stake in Kronos Polymer Polska. This move not only enhances Aliplast’s market position but also allows the company to expand its operational capabilities in recycling and processing polyethylene (PE).

The agreement, finalized by Aliplast Polska, revolves around Kronos Polymer, a Polish enterprise specializing in the recycling and transformation of polyethylene. With this acquisition, Aliplast is poised to strengthen its foothold and operational infrastructure in Poland, allowing for more efficient recycling processes and logistics.

Aliplast boasts an integrated industrial model consisting of various plants located in Italy, France, Spain, and Poland. The company has a robust framework that encompasses the collection of plastic waste, transforming it into secondary raw materials, and producing a substantial 100,000 tonnes annually of recycled products, including flakes and granules from PET and LDPE. This acquisition reinforces its commitment to converting recycled plastics into a strategic resource within a secure and certified European supply chain.

Kronos Polymer will operate out of a newly established industrial site in Gniew, Northern Poland, located about 300 kilometers from Aliplast’s facility in Tuszyn. This facility includes a complete setup for sorting, shredding, and cleaning polyethylene, with an annual production capacity of 12,000 tonnes. This local operation allows Aliplast to undertake recycling and preprocessing on-site, optimizing both operational processes and logistical aspects significantly.

In light of this acquisition and ongoing projects in Italy—such as a recycling facility for hard plastics in Modena and a new PE-LD recycling plant in Borgolavezzaro—Aliplast is positioned to enhance existing industrial synergies within the group. With a projected doubling of recycling capacity to over 210,000 tonnes per year, the company's strategy seeks to expand production abilities not only domestically but in foreign markets as well.

The strategy adopted by Aliplast emphasizes increasing the quality and traceability of recycled materials to better respond to the needs of the European market. This approach becomes increasingly critical as new European regulations, like the PPWR regulation, aim to lessen environmental impact and promote a circular economy, necessitating a comprehensive review of the entire packaging supply chain from structural perspectives to operational implementation.

For Kronos Polymer, partnering with Aliplast represents a significant opportunity to expand its industrial expertise and sophisticated knowledge within the plastic recycling landscape. The transaction, which includes standard conditions for closing—such as the completion of the separation and transfer of environmental permits—is expected to conclude by the end of 2026.

Michele Petrone, CEO of Aliplast, remarked, “This acquisition will further enable Aliplast to expand its production capabilities, aligning with the Hera Group’s strategy that views resource recycling as one of its core pillars. The initiation of the process towards acquiring a majority stake in Kronos Polymer Polska aligns with our parent company’s plan for continuous growth in the waste management value chain and expanding our footprint in Poland, capitalizing on the promising demand growth for recycled plastics in the country.”

This strategic acquisition not only signifies Aliplast’s dedication to enhancing its capacities in recycling and offering quality recycled products but also highlights its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in a rapidly evolving market.

For further inquiries:
Rita D’Andrea
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +393201415025