Indorama, Nigerian Breweries plan 45,000-ton plastic recycling plant in Nigeria

Indorama Ventures, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions have partnered to build one of Africa’s largest recycled plastic production facilities in Nigeria, the companies have said, a move aimed at expanding recycling capacity and reducing plastic waste.

The planned plant, to be located in Lagos, will produce up to 45,000 tonnes of food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin each year, with operations expected to begin in the first half of 2027.

The project will convert used PET bottles into recycled material for packaging, helping beverage and consumer goods companies meet rising demand for recycled content while cutting plastic waste.

The partnership brings together companies with different strengths in the plastics and energy value chain.

Indorama Ventures, a Thailand-based petrochemical company and one of the world’s largest recyclers of PET used in beverage bottles, will provide technology and expertise in recycling materials. Nigerian Breweries, part of the HEINEKEN Group, will contribute local market knowledge and industry connections within Nigeria’s beverage sector. Genesis Energy will support the project with sustainable energy and infrastructure solutions.

“This partnership marks a defining milestone in our global recycling journey,” said Yash Lohia, executive president of Petchem and chairman of the ESG council at Indorama Ventures.

He said the project would combine the company’s recycling technology with local partnerships to build sustainable packaging systems in a fast-growing market.

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The facility will be Indorama Ventures’ first recycling investment in Africa and the largest recycling plant the company has built globally, according to the company.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces growing challenges with plastic waste, especially in major cities like Lagos. The government introduced a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management in 2020, which aims to ensure that all plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable, biodegradable or compostable by 2030.

The new facility is expected to support that policy by increasing local recycling capacity and strengthening plastic collection systems.

Akinwole Omoboriowo, Genesis Energy chairman and chief executive said the project shows how industrial partnerships can help support sustainable development.

“By combining circular economy principles with resilient infrastructure and energy solutions, the initiative supports long-term environmental impact and local value creation,” he said.

The companies said the project could also create jobs and expand opportunities across Nigeria’s recycling value chain, including waste collection and processing.

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Indorama Ventures currently operates 20 recycling facilities across 11 countries and has recycled more than 160 billion PET bottles globally.

The Lagos facility will require regulatory approvals and technical validation before construction begins, the companies said.