The facility is intended to recycle flexible film, which is widely used in pallet wrap, shrink wrap, single-use shopping bags and some food packaging
Myplas has opened new mechanical recycling and pelletising plant in the US. (Credit: Myplas USA)
Myplas USA, the American subsidiary of South African firm Myplas, has opened a new flexible film recycling plant in Rogers, Minnesota, US.
The facility is intended to recycle flexible film, which is widely used in pallet wrap, shrink wrap, single-use shopping bags and some food packaging.
Situated near Minneapolis, the new mechanical recycling and pelletising plant is spread over 170,000ft2.
At full capacity, the new Myplas facility can recycle around 90 million pounds of packaging and film annually. The plant is also expected to employ over 200 people.
The site was made possible by a joint $13m equity investment by lead investors General Mills, Schwan’s Company and Charter Next Generation, and supporting investors Target and Ecolab.
Myplas USA CEO Andrew Pieterse said: “This is a very exciting day for Myplas as we open our US headquarters and our first US recycling facility in Minnesota.
“It’s been a remarkable journey to help bring this vision to life, and we are proud to bring our expertise to this ground-breaking initiative.
“The ongoing commitment of our partners has been vital to bringing us to this point. We are excited for what lies ahead.”
According to the South African plastics recycler, the facility is the result of the partnership between global businesses to catalyse a regional circular economy in the Upper Midwest region for flexible film and packaging materials.
This initiative was led by the GREATER MSP Partnership’s MBOLD coalition.
The recycling facility also received financial support from the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), Closed Loop Partners and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said: “The opening of the Myplas facility in Rogers is exciting news for the local community, region and entire state.
“By bringing a new industry with hundreds of new jobs to Minnesota, this investment is a testament to our state’s innovation, commitment to sustainable solutions and the strength of our business ecosystem.”