The initiative will support action plans to reduce ocean debris.
By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales
Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), the Thailand-based leader in recyclable plastics, is continuing to step up its efforts towards sustainability with an announcement of a new recycling facility in Karawang, Indonesia, which is set to fully open in 2023. Founded in 1995, IVL is one of the world’s largest producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the preferred material for plastic bottles worldwide, and one that is 100% recyclable, no matter how many times it is used. A longtime supporter of reusing post-consumer PET bottles in a circular economy, instead of as waste products, IVL will recycle up to 2 billion PET bottles annually in its new facility, only one of the ways it hopes to fulfil its global commitment to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, while also creating 217 green industry jobs.
The facility will reproduce the recycled PET bottles as recycled resin, which will be suitable for food contact use, and the initiative will also support the Indonesian government’s National Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris, ensuring that Indonesia can reduce its plastic debris by 70 percent by 2025, compared to 2017 levels.
Bahlil Lahadalia, the Minister of Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, said, “I appreciate the initiative of Indorama Ventures to help the government to end and mitigate the plastic waste crisis through their investment in this greenfield recycling facility. It is time for the government, and all of us, to take action and address the waste problem. We invite more investors who are committed to social impacts for the community and environment. Together we must safeguard the richness of our marine biodiversity for our children and grandchildren.”
Mr. Yashovardhan Lohia (pictured above), the Chief Sustainability Officer at Indorama Ventures, also made a statement in support of the initiative’s efforts towards environmental conservation and job-creation: “The unique PET plastic used in soft drinks and water bottles is 100% recyclable and must never end up in our oceans. [Our new PET recycling facility] will recycle 1.92 billion post-consumer PET bottles per year from across Indonesia by the end of 2023. We are pleased to contribute to the Indonesian economy by adding 217 ‘green jobs’ as well as indirect employment to the area. Today’s announcement is possible because of Indonesia’s ambitious national plan to reduce marine plastic debris by 70%, reduce solid waste by 30%, and handle 70% of solid waste by 2025.”
He was joined by Mr. D K Agarwal, the CEO of Combined PET, IOD and Fibers Business at Indorama Ventures, who said, “The Indonesia Government’s leadership on waste allows us to invest in the infrastructure needed. Giving waste an economic value, as feedstock for new bottles, also drives improvements in waste collection systems. By building the infrastructure to recycle post-consumer PET bottles into new bottles, we are reducing waste and preserving our oceans. This new recycling facility will support our shared goal of closed-loop solutions and clean oceans.”
With 124 manufacturing facilities in 33 countries, IVL’s commitment to recycling and sustainability continues to be a global standard in the plastics industry, one that we hope will inspire the pursuit of more circular economies in the future.
