Pekutherm Intends to Double Recycling Volume
German plastics recycling company Pekutherm Kunststoffe GmbH plans to double its recycling volume and wants to expand in Europe.
According to the specialist in recycling thermoplastics such as acrylic glass (polymethylmethacrylate, PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC), Heiko Pfister, Managing Partner of Pekutherm, has identified Italy, Spain, France, and the Baltic States as key target markets for expansion. Additionally, the press release said the company plans to broaden its operations in Northern Europe, building on its existing presence in Denmark and Finland.
Pekutherm’s expansion would be driven by environmental and climate concerns rather than purely economic considerations, Heiko Pfister was quoted. According to his research, Europe would generate approximately 30,000 tons of PMMA waste annually. Of this amount, 5,000 tons are recycled at the company’s area in Geisenheim (near Frankfurt am Main) for reuse, while the rest is processed elsewhere, often ending in incineration. “A significant portion is collected in Europe and shipped to Asia, where the recycling rate is likely very low,“ he said. His plan for Pekutherm is to double the PMMA recycling volume to 10,000 tons within the next three years. This effort would also include an additional 1,000 tons of polycarbonate (PC) and 1,000 tons of other plastics already being recycled in Geisenheim. “For every 100 tons of recycled material used, nearly 500 tons of carbon dioxide can be saved,“ Pfister was cited. He further emphasized that the recycled materials meet new raw material standards in terms of purity and quality, underscoring the environmental benefits of reusing these resources.
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 3/2024, Page 27, Photo: pekutherm GmbH)
