La Seda forms PET recycling subsidiary

European PET polymer producer La Seda de Barcelona (LSB) has brought together its PET recycling operations in a newly formed umbrella subsidiary.

Under the new division, the group’s four plants in Beaune and Perpignan, in France, Acerra, in Italy and Balaguer in Spain will be managed together.

La Seda - based in Barcelona, Spain - has built up its recycling operations rapidly over the past three years through both organic growth and purchases.

Last year, LSB gained a 67% stake in the Spanish recycling operation of Recuperaciones de Plasticos Barcelona (RPB) with a 7,000tpa plant in Balaguer. A second line was added there at the end of 2007.

In 2006, LSB had taken a 19% stake in Italian PET resin producer Simpe in Acerra, Italy, upping its share to 50.11% in February last year. PET production is being upgraded and LSB will run a recycling plant on the site.

The group acquired the French Beaune plant in October last year as part of its purchase of Australian group Amcor's PET operations in Europe. Capacity at the plant of Artemis PET Recycling France is being expanded to 35,000tpa.

Meanwhile, LSB is investing ?2m in the construction of a new plant at Perpignan, in the South of France with completion due by 2009.

Looking ahead, La Seda aims to recycle more than 10% of its annual PET production. It has set itself a target of achieving a total annual recycling capacity of 140,000 tonnes within the next few years.

LSB stated: "La Seda de Barcelona will focus its management efforts around the recycling world, not only in its industrial activity - as PET is a 100% recyclable product and low in CO2 - but in the promotion of the recycling culture."

The group points out that scope for the recycled product is promising with large reuse sectors including textiles, packaging materials and the 'bottle-to-bottle' use for new containers.