Dh2.5 Million Investment: Tetra Pak Launches UAE's First Carton Recycling Line With Union Paper Mills

In a significant move towards sustainable development, Tetra Pak, food processing and packaging solutions provider, has formed an alliance with Union Paper Mills (UPM) to introduce the UAE's first recycling line specifically for carton packages.

This collaboration signifies a breakthrough in the nation's recycling efforts, with a robust investment of Dh2.5 million aimed at establishing a recycling infrastructure capable of handling up to 10,000 tons of post-consumer carton packaging every year. This initiative not only aims to reroute waste away from landfills but also to repurpose it into valuable recycled products within the UAE, marking a pivotal step in bolstering the country's recycling capabilities and embracing a circular economy.

Marcelo Piva, Sustainability Director, Middle East and Africa, at Tetra Pak, said: "This new recycling line perfectly encapsulates Tetra Pak's sustainability goals and strategically aligns with the UAE's Green Agenda 2030," Piva stated, acknowledging the partnership's effort to enhance carton package recycling and their ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the UAE to develop Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. This collaboration aims to create a more efficient ecosystem for recycling operations.

The innovative recycling line at UPM is equipped with state-of-the-art pulping technology that meticulously separates the high-quality paper fibers from the carton packages, extracting them from the polymers and aluminum layers. This process not only supplies UPM with a premium raw material, enhancing the quality and durability of their paperboard products for the packaging industry but also ensures the optimal utilization of resources.

Shabbir Ibrahim Haideri, Group CEO of MAHY KHOORY & CO., expressed his enthusiasm about this partnership, stating, "We have an exceptional partnership with Tetra Pak and launching this new recycling line takes our collaborations to the next level." He further elaborated on the mutual commitment to sustainability and circularity shared between Tetra Pak and UPM, which significantly propels the UAE's recycling infrastructure forward and contributes to a greener future.

This initiative also explores the potential of the polyAl material, a byproduct of the recycling process, as a valuable resource for the plastics industry. It can be transformed into construction profiles or furniture, or even pelletized for use in 3D printing and injection molding to create items like crates and pallets. Efforts are underway to establish local recycling solutions for polyAl material in the UAE, with potential recycling partners already identified.

Tetra Pak has a long-standing commitment to promoting carton package recycling across the globe, collaborating with more than 200 recycling partners. In 2023 alone, Tetra Pak's investment in recycling solutions reached nearly €40 million, underscoring its dedication to advancing circularity. This investment has facilitated the collection and recycling of approximately 1.3 million tons of carton packages worldwide, marking a 7% increase in volume from the previous year and achieving a global recycling rate of 27%.