“We are truly honoured to have you all here today to join us for the official opening of the new PhoenixPET plant.
“That all of you have taken the time serves to remind us of how vital the role of recycling is in our industry and our everyday lives,” said Laju Chanrai, chairman of the board of Extrupet, at the opening of the plant, in Dekema Road, Wadeville, last Monday.
Extrupet is currently the largest and most advanced recycler of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle materials on the African continent.
It specialises in reclaiming and converting waste PET bottles into various grades of PET pellets and flakes.
PhoenixPET is the Extrupet brand name for their “food grade” recycled polyethylene terephalate (PET) resin.
Through the company’s latest project, Extrupet, have installed a new bottle-to-bottle plant to extend their capability for producing resin suitable for food contact PET packaging, to include recycled resin that will also be suitable for the carbonated drink sector.
This project represents a milestone for the local PET industry.
“Extrupet is committed to actively raising not just the quality and image of recycling, but also awareness of the challenges of solid waste management,” said Chanrai.
“Today we celebrate another milestone in what has been an extraordinary journey that began 15 years ago,” said Chanrai.
Representatives from PETCO, Coca-Cola Southern Africa and local government attended the event.
Cheri Scholtz, chief executive officer of PETCO, shared the company’s dream during her speech.
“At PETCO we dream that one day recycling activities will meld into the fabric of our cities, the presence of recycling becoming as regular as the work of bankers, teachers, road repair crews and farmers,” she said.
Minster of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa later addressed the guests, saying: “I’m very delighted to be here today, we want to carry this good news to every corner of South Africa.
“This is, indeed, a good news story.
“Gauteng is a very strategic location for waste management, because of the large population in the province and the associated large amounts of waste created.
“The growing population and a growing economy, means an increase in volumes of waste created.
“Our society needs to be aware that waste can be a resource, there is value in waste.”
The Minister explained that the target is to create 69 000 jobs within the waste sector through projects such as these.
The event came to a close with Molewa unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the plant, followed by an informative tour of the facility.
