How Tetra Pak is Boosting the Netherlands' Recycling Efforts
Tetra Pak is recognised as one of the world's leading specialists in complete solutions for the processing, packaging and distribution of food products.
Its latest endeavour has involved teaming up with Yellow Dreams to open a new recycling plant in Ittervoort, the Netherlands. The facility will focus on processing the non-fibre components (polyAl) of beverage cartons, a step that could transform recycling capacities for cartons in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Scheduled to begin operations in late 2025, the plant represents a $3.1m investment and is poised to handle the entire polyAl volume from these countries’ recycled drinks cartons.
Strengthening EU recycling infrastructure
The new recycling plant being co-funded by Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams will significantly boost polyAl recycling capacity in Europe.
With an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, it complements the existing 8,000-tonne capacity of Recon Polymers’ site in Roosendaal, also in the Netherlands. Together, these facilities enhance the region's ability to recycle beverage cartons, further supporting the European Union’s broader sustainability goals.
The latest development adds to the EU’s existing recycling infrastructure, which currently includes 20 specialised paper mills for processing beverage cartons and 10 facilities for handling polyAl.
Kinga Sieradzon, Vice President of Collection & Recycling at Tetra Pak, highlights the importance of the new plant: “We're pleased to announce this new plant, which significantly enhances the recycling capacities of used beverage cartons in the region. By collaborating with Yellow Dreams, we have the opportunity to exceed the Netherlands’ official recycling targets.”
Emphasising the broader mission, she adds: "This is another milestone in our collaborative journey with all stakeholders across the value chain to drive collection, sorting and recycling. Our ongoing investments, up to €40m each year globally, reflect our commitment to advancing beverage carton recycling and supporting sustainable practices.”
Turning waste into new products
Recycling technology continues to improve, enabling drinks cartons to be transformed into valuable materials for new products.
When collected, sorted and recycled effectively, the fibres from cartons can be repurposed for high-quality paper products such as e-commerce boxes and shopping bags.
The polyAl layers, made up of polymers and aluminium, can replace virgin plastics or other recycled materials in applications like injection moulding or extrusion. These recycled components are being used to manufacture diverse items such as outdoor furniture, pallets, crates, flower pots, and tiles.
Expanding this recycling infrastructure has been labelled a "priority" by Tetra Pak.
Pioneering advances in polyAl recycling
Since 2019, Tetra Pak has worked closely with Recon Polymers to advance polyAl recycling technologies. It led to the opening of a commercial recycling plant in Roosendaal in 2021, which received an additional US$1.04m investment in 2023, raising annual capacity to 8,000 tonnes.
The new Ittervoort facility – made possible by Yellow Dreams – builds on this foundation, employing the same innovative technology to convert polyAl into a range of durable and reusable products. Examples include pallets, interior furnishings and large-format 3D-printed objects.
Bas Gehlen, Managing Director at Yellow Dreams, highlights the broader implications of the partnership: “The joint endeavour of Yellow Dreams and Tetra Pak not only showcases the potential of polyAl recycling but also sets a remarkable example of the value of collaboration towards building a circular system.
"Through this project, we are continuing to spearhead the transformation of carton recycling, leaving a lasting impact on the environment and inspiring further the adoption of circular economy practices.”
With this initiative, Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams demonstrate the power of partnerships in driving sustainability. As recycling infrastructure grows, the project serves as a model for a circular economy, where waste is transformed into resources for future use.
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