RCS Group has started construction of a new plastics recycling centre in Werne, Germany, with an investment of €75 million ($87m).
The 6.5-hectare site will operate as an independent facility for RCS Plastics. It will include production, logistics, administration, maintenance, and service areas.
The company expects the centre to process around 100,000 tonnes of plastics material each year. HDPE cap closures, polystyrene, PET trays, and beverage bottles will be processed into recyclates for a range of applications.
High-quality recyclates
RCS Group said the development of high-quality recyclates will be a particular focus, including food-grade HDPE recyclates produced from caps.
“The development of food-grade HDPE recyclates is one of the major challenges facing our industry,” said Alexander Rimmer, managing director of RCS Group.
“We are investing specifically in innovative processes to open up new material cycles and make recycled materials usable in even more applications.”
The start of construction was marked on 28 August with an event attended by representatives from politics, administration and business.
Cooperation
Those attending included district administrator Mario Löhr, mayor Lars Hübchen, economic development officer Matthias Stiller, Wulf-Christian Ehrich from the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Ralf Bülte, head of planning for the City of Werne, and representatives from construction partner Goldbeck.
RCS Group said cooperation with the relevant authorities, the district government, and the City of Werne had supported the development of the project.
The new site is expected to create around 60 jobs and approximately five apprenticeships, with construction scheduled to be completed between late 2027 and early 2028.
