Tetra Pak and Alier forge alliance to recycle PE and aluminum from beverage cartons in Spain

06 Oct 2023 --- Tetra Pak has entered into a collaboration agreement with Alier, a paper manufacturing and waste recovery company, to facilitate the recycling of PE and aluminum from beverage cardboard containers in Spain.

Both companies will work to solidify PE and aluminum recycling derived from used beverage cartons, aiming to recycle over 15,000 tons by 2025. The recovered PE and aluminum waste undergo a recycling process, transforming it into pellets, which serve as secondary raw materials with diverse applications across various industries.

Ramiro Ortiz, managing director of Tetra Pak Iberia, states: “Our goal is to improve recycling results in Spain and completely recycle our packaging in a sustainable way. The signing of this agreement makes us very proud because it demonstrates our mutual commitment to the circularity of materials and the benefits of collaborative innovation for its implementation.”

“Thus, we take another step to respond to the EU’s objective of recycling and efficient waste management, and we are increasingly closer to fulfilling our main ambition: Achieving cardboard packaging for F&B made entirely from renewable or recycled materials, responsibly sourced, fully recyclable and carbon-neutral. This project aligns with our desire to contribute to decarbonizing the Spanish food chain, of which our packaging is fundamental.”

Tetra Pak and Alier aim to recycle over 15,000 tons of PE and aluminum by 2025.Strengthening circularity
The recycling process begins with the mechanical washing of the recovered waste, effectively disaggregating it into several fractions. Subsequently, an extruder machine processes the waste material, producing PE and aluminum pellets. This pellet is an “excellent 100% recycled raw material that re-enters circulation with new uses in different applications” for instance, in the logistics industry or gardening.

For Alier, a company currently focused on recycling the fiber recovered from beverage cartons, the collaboration presents an opportunity to become an integrated recycler. Alier intends to invest in local facilities to establish a mechanical recycling capability for managing PE and aluminum packaging waste.

Elisabet Alier Benages, president at Alier, emphasizes the importance of efficient waste management and sustainable collaboration, stating, “we seek to expand the horizon of opportunities for the rest of the industry stakeholders, and for this, efficient waste management is essential, as well as joining forces to achieve it sustainably.”

“As a certified B corporation, we are very excited about this agreement with Tetra Pak, as it is a great step in pursuing sustainability and zero waste.”

Edited by Radhika Sikaria