Polysmart Packaging Limited, a trailblazer in food-grade rPET recycling in Nigeria, is dedicated to converting post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality recycled materials and sustainable packaging solutions. Today, the company revealed a groundbreaking $60 million expansion plan to establish the largest state-of-the-art plastic recycling facility in Nigeria.

Source: GUARDIAN

The first phase is set to launch by the end of March 2026, with the final phase expected in July 2026. This remarkable investment reinforces the company’s commitment to promoting a circular economy, creating substantial employment opportunities, assisting brands in reducing their carbon footprints, achieving global sustainability standards, and addressing the environmental crisis linked to plastic pollution.

Advanced Facility Features

The upcoming facility will incorporate world-class technologies, including the Sorema Plastic Recycling System, Tomra Sorting Solution, and two units of Erema Vacunite 2621T V-LeaN SSP, designed to process various polymer streams. The focus will be on producing high-quality, food-grade rPET (recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin and flakes that comply with regulations from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as non-food grade HDPE, LDPE, and PP materials.

This is a transformative moment for Nigeria’s green economy. The $60 million dollar investment is not just in machinery and infrastructure it’s an investment in the human capital of Nigeria. We anticipate generating thousands of new direct and indirect jobs across the waste collection, sorting, technicaland operational segments of the value chain, providing dignified and sustainable livelihoods for our people.

^{Wasiu Abolaji Balogun, the MD/CEO of Polysmart Packaging Limited}

With a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence, Polysmart is essential in tackling plastic pollution while supporting the manufacturing, FMCG, and packaging sectors with dependable, locally sourced raw materials. The company is continually expanding its capacity, enhancing its waste recovery network, and investing in cutting-edge technology to meet the growing domestic and regional demand for recycled materials.

Key Highlights of the Expansion

Largest Regional Capacity: This facility will be the largest of its kind, featuring an input capacity of 100,000 tons of mixed plastics. This will significantly boost the region's overall recycling capacity and redirect substantial quantities of plastic waste from landfills and waterways.

Import Substitution: By locally producing certified food-grade rPET, Polysmart Packaging Limited will provide a crucial raw material for the local food and beverage industry, thereby reducing dependence on foreign currency for virgin plastic imports.

Driving a Circular Economy: The facility will ensure that post-consumer plastic waste, including rPET, HDPE, and PP, is reintegrated into the manufacturing cycle, optimizing resource efficiency and setting a new benchmark for industrial sustainability in Nigeria.

Waste-to-Value Transformation at a National Scale: The expanded facilities will facilitate the recovery and recycling of over 5.5 billion PET bottles annually, keeping significant volumes of plastic out of landfills, drainage systems, and oceans.

Significant Reduction in Virgin Plastic Demand: This expansion will greatly decrease Nigeria’s reliance on virgin plastics derived from crude oil, substituting them with high-quality recycled alternatives and fostering a more sustainable, circular manufacturing ecosystem.

Strengthened ESG Compliance & Lower Carbon Footprint: By increasing food-grade and non-food-grade recycling capacity, Polysmart is projected to achieve carbon savings of up to 170,000 tons in line with the new plant's capacity, conserve energy, and conform to global ESG and circular economy standards embraced by leading multinationals. The company is collaborating closely with federal and state environmental agencies to ensure the project adheres to the highest global standards for safety and environmental protection.

This initiative is anticipated to solidify Nigeria’s status as a regional hub for sustainable manufacturing and green technology. Polysmart remains devoted to leading Nigeria and West Africa in the transformation of sustainable plastics.