Indorama Ventures, in collaboration with Nigerian Breweries Plc and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions, is set to establish one of Africa's most significant recycled plastic production facilities in Nigeria. The planned plant, located in Lagos, is designed to produce up to 45,000 tonnes of food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin annually.

The facility is slated to begin operations in the first half of 2027. Its primary function will be to convert used PET bottles into recycled material suitable for packaging applications. This initiative is expected to help beverage and consumer goods companies meet increasing demand for recycled content while simultaneously addressing the growing challenge of plastic waste in Nigeria.

The partnership leverages the distinct strengths of each participating company. Indorama Ventures, a global PET recycler based in Thailand, will contribute its advanced recycling technology and expertise. Nigerian Breweries, a subsidiary of the HEINEKEN Group, will offer its deep understanding of the local Nigerian market and its connections within the beverage industry. Genesis Energy will provide essential sustainable energy and infrastructure solutions to support the project.

Yash Lohia, executive president of Petchem and chairman of the ESG council at Indorama Ventures, described the partnership as a “defining milestone” in the company’s global recycling efforts. He highlighted the project's potential to integrate Indorama's recycling technology with local partnerships to build sustainable packaging systems in a rapidly expanding market.

This facility will mark Indorama Ventures' inaugural recycling investment on the African continent and will be the largest recycling plant the company has constructed worldwide. Nigeria, as Africa's most populous nation, faces considerable challenges with plastic waste, particularly in urban centers like Lagos. The government's National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, introduced in 2020, aims to ensure all plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable, biodegradable, or compostable by 2030.

The new plant is anticipated to play a crucial role in supporting this national policy by enhancing local recycling capacity and strengthening plastic collection systems. Akinwole Omoboriowo, Genesis Energy chairman and chief executive, stated that the project exemplifies how industrial collaborations can foster sustainable development. He emphasized that integrating circular economy principles with robust infrastructure and energy solutions would drive long-term environmental impact and local value creation.

Beyond environmental benefits, the companies anticipate that the project will generate employment opportunities and foster growth across Nigeria’s recycling value chain, encompassing waste collection and processing. Indorama Ventures currently operates 20 recycling facilities across 11 countries and has recycled over 160 billion PET bottles globally. The commencement of construction for the Lagos facility is contingent upon obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and completing technical validation.