Indorama Ventures, Nigerian Breweries and Genesis Energy Plan Major rPET Plant in Nigeria

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited has joined forces with Nigerian Breweries Plc and Genesis Power & Energy Solutions Ltd to develop a large recycled polyethylene terephthalate production facility in Lagos, a project designed to expand recycling capacity and strengthen circular packaging systems in West Africa. The partners said the plant, expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027, could produce up to 45,000 tonnes of food-grade rPET resin annually once fully operational.

The facility will process post-consumer PET bottles into recycled resin suitable for new packaging applications, helping address rising demand for recycled materials in the beverage and consumer goods sectors. Company statements said the project is intended to reduce plastic waste while supporting improvements in local collection networks and creating economic opportunities across Nigeria’s recycling value chain.

Demand for recycled plastics has been increasing as governments and brand owners adopt stricter sustainability commitments. Nigeria introduced a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management in 2020 that aims to ensure all plastic packaging placed on the market is recyclable, reusable, compostable or biodegradable by 2030. Analysts say building domestic recycling infrastructure is critical if the country is to meet those targets, particularly as urban populations and consumption continue to grow.

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and industrial center, has emerged as a focal point for waste management and recycling initiatives because of the city’s high consumption levels and access to transportation networks. Observers note that large-scale processing plants could help formalize PET collection systems and improve supply chains for recyclers across the region.

The partnership combines expertise from different parts of the packaging value chain. Indorama Ventures, a global producer of petrochemicals and recycled materials, is contributing recycling technology and operational experience. Nigerian Breweries, part of the Heineken group, brings market access and insight into beverage packaging demand, while Genesis Energy will support infrastructure and energy systems associated with the facility.

Yash Lohia, executive president of petchem and chairman of the ESG council at Indorama Ventures, said the project represents the company’s largest recycling investment to date and its first in Africa. Indorama operates a network of recycling facilities across 11 countries and has processed more than 160 billion used PET bottles into recycled materials globally, according to company data.

Genesis Energy, which develops power and infrastructure projects across multiple African markets, said the initiative aligns with its strategy to support climate-focused industrial investments. The company operates or is developing energy projects in more than ten countries and has outlined plans to expand renewable and low-carbon power capacity across the region.

Industry analysts say cross-sector partnerships like the Lagos project are increasingly common as companies attempt to scale recycling systems in emerging markets. Beverage producers require reliable supplies of recycled resin to meet sustainability targets, while chemical manufacturers and infrastructure developers provide the technical and operational resources needed to build large processing facilities.

The partners said the agreement marks the first stage in a broader development plan. The project remains subject to regulatory approvals, technical validation and final construction planning before full implementation begins.

If completed as planned, the Lagos facility could become one of the largest food-grade rPET production sites in Africa and a key contributor to regional efforts to reduce plastic waste while expanding circular materials supply.

Source: Indorama Ventures

SUNSHINE Spotlight: A new partnership to build a large rPET plant in Lagos highlights growing momentum to expand recycling infrastructure and circular packaging systems across Africa.