Extrupet chooses PET recycling technology from Erema again
SINCE it was founded in 2000, Extrupet has grown to become one of the largest and most advanced recyclers of PET bottle materials on the African continent. The company is based in Wadeville, Johannesburg, and specialises in most aspects of the PET recycling loop: from turning waste PET bottles into PET flakes and converting them into fibre, thermoforming and food-grade and strapping-grade material.
The company is in the process of commissioning a Vacunite from Erema, with 22 containers containing the equipment having arrived in Cape Town recently. The partnership between Extrupet and Erema dates back to 2009 when Extrupet first bought Erema technology (a Vacurema system for its Wadeville factory). However, the relationship with Erema goes back to the 1990s when the first conventional extruders were supplied.
“The planned expansion of our existing South African footprint in Cape Town was born from a need to meet a growing demand for our PhoenixPET resin,” explains Chandru Wadhwani, joint managing director at Extrupet.
“Given the superior quality of resin we currently supply to the market, the technology we chose not only has to maintain our standards but also provide opportunities for improvements. Our long-standing relationship with Erema and its new Vacunite system meets our requirements. We look forward to jointly commissioning the new line next year and to setting a benchmark for the future.”
For high throughput in PET recycling
“As Extrupet’s footprint is set to grow across the continent, it’s also important to have a technology partner with a similar geographical footprint that aligns with our ambitions,” notes Ravi Chanrai, group director of the Extrupet Group.
“We are delighted the South African company has ordered a Vacunite 2318 T-1500 for direct bottle-to-bottle production. While it’s estimated that we will commence our East African operation in 2024, with the drive to set up a similar operation to South Africa, it is envisaged we will be able to supply several African markets with our food grade rPET from the new line in Cape Town next year. Thereafter, we expect to break ground in Lagos, Nigeria with a targeted 2025 start-up of a fully integrated ‘food grade’ rPET line,” Chanrai notes.
“This is ultimately why we’ve been mindful to negotiate with Erema for more than the one Vacunite slated for Cape Town next year. The option for an additional two lines has been secured to ensure we can meet the growing demand (for Extrupet’s grade of food-grade rPET) across the African continent.”