Tetra Pak and UPM introduce UAE’s first carton packaging recycling line

Tetra Pak and UPM Launch UAE’s First Carton Package Recycling Line to Boost Sustainability

Tetra Pak, a global leader in food packaging and processing, has unveiled the UAE’s first-ever carton package recycling line, a significant move toward sustainability. In partnership with Union Paper Mills (UPM), a key player in the UAE’s paper recycling sector, this collaboration marks a major step in enhancing the nation’s recycling capabilities.

AED 2.5 million will be used to support the joint venture, which aims to handle up to 10,000 tonnes of post-consumer carton packaging each year. Packaging trash will be kept out of landfills and given a second chance at life by becoming useful recycled goods. This initiative supports the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy by aligning with the country’s Green Agenda 2030 and enhancing waste management standards.

The innovative pulping technology in the new recycling line, which was constructed at UPM’s plant, efficiently separates the paper fibers from the layers of polymer and aluminum in carton packaging.

This separation process provides UPM with high-quality raw materials that can be used to produce paperboard for the packaging industry. This ensures the efficient use of resources and supports sustainable production methods.

According to Marcelo Piva, Sustainability Director for Tetra Pak in the Middle East and Africa, the collaboration with UPM was essential to creating a recycling value chain that is fully operational, encompassing material collection, sorting, and recycling. The project, he said, embodies Tetra Pak’s mission to “Protect What’s Good,” which encompasses safeguarding the environment, people, and food. The business also works closely with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the United Arab Emirates, which helps to guarantee the creation of efficient legislation and promotes the expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies.

The recovery of polyAl, a by-product of the separation process, is also included in the recycling process. In the plastics sector, PolyAl can be made into profiles for furniture, construction, and even 3D printing. It can also be pelletized for use in injection molding to create pallets, crates, and other items. Several recycling businesses have been identified for the purpose of advancing local polyAl recycling capabilities in the United Arab Emirates.

UPM’s Group CEO, Shabbir Ibrahim Haideri, highlighted the partnership with Tetra Pak as a pivotal moment in their shared mission to enhance recycling infrastructure in the UAE. He also expressed pride in their role in deploying this innovative technology at UPM, which plays a vital role in advancing sustainability in the region.

This move is part of Tetra Pak’s broader global strategy to improve carton package recycling. By investing around €40 million in 2023 alone, Tetra Pak was able to accelerate recycling activities globally, collecting and recycling 1.3 million tonnes of carton packaging, a 7% increase from the year before. The business is dedicated to growing these initiatives in the years to come, collaborating with more than 200 recycling partners across the globe.

Tetra Pak’s partnership with UPM marks a pivotal development in the UAE’s journey toward a more sustainable future. Together, they are setting the stage for more efficient recycling practices and increased consumer awareness, helping to build a more circular economy in the region.