Chile inaugurates first plant to produce beverage bottles from recycled plastic
Chile has launched its first plant dedicated to producing beverage bottles from recycled plastic. The facility, named Re-Ciclar, is a joint venture between Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor, representing a $35 million investment. The plant aims to recycle over 350 million bottles annually and integrate food-grade recycled material into Coca-Cola’s packaging in Chile.
Re-Ciclar is noted for its use of sustainable technologies, including solar power and electric cranes, and is expected to generate 25,000 indirect jobs nationwide. It is combining state-of-the-art equipment imported from Italy, Japan, and AustriaThe plant is part of a broader initiative to increase the recycled content in Coca-Cola bottles, starting with 15% recycled PET by 2025, with plans to reach 100% in the future.
Economy Minister Nicolás Grau described the plant as an important step towards sustainable development in Chile, highlighting its role in promoting circular economy practices. The facility collaborates with various stakeholders across the recycling chain, including local governments and grassroots recyclers. Re-Ciclar is claimed to be one of the most advanced plants of its kind in Latin America.
Re-Ciclar has a collaborative and inclusive model through strategic alliances with all members of the recycling chain, including grassroots recyclers, small, medium, and large managers, local governments, and territorial organizations, among others. In 2024, it expects to collect around 10,000 tons of PET alongside its partners, including the National Association of Recyclers of Chile, Latitud R, La Ciudad Posible, and the collective action of citizens. The recycling process at Re-Ciclar begins with individuals properly depositing their beverage bottles at recycling points. Then, grassroots recyclers and managers collect, store, and deliver the PET plastic to Re-Ciclar. Upon arrival at the plant, the bottles go through a cleaning, analysis, and shredding process, transforming the containers into flakes, which undergo extrusion, crystallization, and post-condensation to recover the physical and chemical properties of the PET, turning it into recycled resin pellets. Finally, preforms are produced and loaded onto production lines, where they are heated, blown, and filled with new beverages, ready for the final consumer.
