Tomra and AB Plasta Strengthen Baltic Film Recycling with Smart Sorting Solutions

Tomra Recycling and AB Plasta have jointly launched an advanced polyethylene (PE) film recycling line designed to boost material purity and operational efficiency across the Baltic region. The collaboration marks a major step toward achieving fully circular film production and aligning with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

According to Tomra Recycling, Lithuanian recycler and plastic bag manufacturer AB Plasta, a member of the CEDO Group, has integrated Tomra’s AutoSort SpeedAir and Tomra Insight systems into its Vilnius facility. The upgraded line enables the production of high-purity recycled PE film that can be directly reused in consumer packaging — a milestone long hindered by contamination and inconsistency in post-consumer waste streams.

“AB Plasta needed a solution that would enable 100% recycled content in its products without compromising quality,” said Michał Bula, Sales Manager at Tomra Recycling. “The goal was clear: ensure 24/7 operational stability, high throughput, and exceptional purity levels that meet the standards required for direct reuse in consumer products.”

Industry sources indicate that AB Plasta now operates one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most advanced flexible film recycling lines. “Sorting flexible packaging waste into high-quality fractions is one of the most complex challenges in plastics recycling,” said Danas Poderis, Managing Director of AB Plasta. “By adapting the post-consumer input material to our lines and integrating Tomra’s advanced AutoSort SpeedAir as part of a customized sorting process, we managed to overcome these.”

The new system combines sensor-based sorting with data-driven monitoring to ensure consistent, high-throughput performance. Operating on a fully integrated recycling and manufacturing model, AB Plasta processes both post-consumer and commercial film waste on the same line, producing approximately 35,000 metric tons of recyclate annually through continuous 24/7 operation.

Processing flexible film waste from multiple European sources remains one of the toughest technical challenges in plastics recycling due to high contamination levels and diverse material compositions. Tomra’s AutoSort SpeedAir stabilizes lightweight and sticky film materials on the conveyor, a feature regarded as essential for achieving consistent product quality and economic feasibility.

Market analysts note that the timing of this partnership coincides with Europe’s accelerating transition toward a circular economy. The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will impose higher recycled content requirements and stricter traceability for packaging materials, driving both compliance challenges and innovation opportunities. Technologies such as Tomra’s advanced sorting and digital monitoring solutions are expected to play a critical role in meeting these goals.

Industry observers say the Tomra–AB Plasta collaboration exemplifies how automation, data intelligence, and cross-sector partnerships can transform flexible plastic film — once considered one of the hardest waste streams to recycle — into a valuable feedstock for sustainable packaging production.

Source: Tomra Recycling