Opening

Coca-Cola: Inauguration of the first recycled PET plant in Chile

2024-09-02 3:47 min Sustainability & Circular Economy, America

Coca-Cola Embonor S.A. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

With the participation of the Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, and more than 400 authorities, mayors, companies and representatives from the world of sustainability, the inauguration and start-up and representatives from the world of sustainability, the inauguration and launch of Re-Ciclar took place. Re-Ciclar, the beverage bottle recycling plant that will allow, for the first time in Chile, the production of these to produce these containers with food-grade recycled material.

With an investment of $35 million, this modern factory, operated in partnership by Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor Coca-Cola Andina and Coca-Cola Embonor, helps reduce the amount of new plastic in circulation and strengthens the circular economy with a capacity to recycle more than the circular economy with a capacity to recycle more than 350 million bottles. more than 350 million bottles. Re-Ciclar is also creating new jobs in its plants and will generate and will create 25,000 indirect jobs throughout the country, with a positive impact on sustainable development.

Now fully operational, the plant is a pioneer in the use of sustainable technologies, combining the latest equipment imported from Italy, Japan and Austria. technologies, combining state-of-the-art equipment imported from Italy, Japan and Austria. Austria. It is also powered by solar energy from photovoltaic panels, while the water used in the production process is 80% treated. The water used in the production process is 80% treated and then reused for garden irrigation. for garden irrigation. The cranes, powered by lithium batteries, are 100% electric and contribute significantly to a contribute significantly to the reduction of the carbon footprint. This facility is a pioneer in in the use of sustainable technologies.

The Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, highlighted the launch of Re-Ciclar as an environmental milestone for the country. An environmental milestone for the country. This plant, from the point of view of our government, combines all the elements we really need to achieve development, combines all the elements we really need to achieve sustainable development in the country. sustainable development in the country. In an economy like ours, this is always completed by private initiative and regulation. private initiative and regulation. That is why it is very important that such initiatives exist. initiatives because they show us how far we can go as a country in tackling these complex and global challenges. complex and global challenges,' said the Foreign Minister.

Thanks to this plant, by 2025 all bottles in the Coca-Cola portfolio in Chile will contain 15% recycled PET resin. Coca-Cola's beverage bottles in Chile will contain 15% recycled PET resin, a percentage that will gradually increase until 100% recycled bottles are produced. This percentage will gradually increase until 100% recycled bottles are produced. In this challenge, the of Coca-Cola Andina, Gonzalo Said, said that Re-Ciclar is a reflection of the company's commitment to the environment. Re-Ciclar is a reflection of the company's commitment to investment and sustainable development in the country. For this reason, we hope that this operation will become a fundamental axis for of recycling in Chile and a benchmark of circular economy and innovation not only for our country, but also for the whole of Latin America. Not only for our country, but also for the whole of Latin America. For his part, Andrés Vicuña, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola Embonor Coca-Cola Embonor, said that 'this is the first fully operational PET bottle recycling plant in Chile. PET bottle recycling plant in Chile. This is excellent news for the country as it is a strong demonstration of Coca-Cola's country as it is a strong demonstration of the commitment of the Coca-Cola system, stimulating growth with new quality jobs and creating sustainable jobs. growth with new quality jobs and creating sustainable innovation'.

Re-Ciclar has a collaborative and inclusive model through strategic alliances with all members of the recycling chain, from grassroots recyclers to small, medium and large waste managers. Members of the recycling chain, from grassroots recyclers to small, medium and large waste managers, local governments and territorial organisations, among others, including local authorities and regional organisations. During 2024, it expects to collect nearly 10,000 tonnes of PET together with its allies, including the National Association of Recyclers. including the National Association of Recyclers of Chile, Latitud R, La Ciudad Posible and the collective action of citizens. the collective action of citizens.

The president of the National Association of Grassroots Recyclers (Anarch), Soledad Mella, said that 'Re-Ciclar is an opportunity for us, Soledad Mella, said that 'Re-Ciclar is an opportunity for us to gain recognition, but above all to strengthen grassroots waste pickers. Re-Ciclar is an opportunity for us to gain recognition, but above all to empower grassroots waste pickers. Our Our negotiations with Coca-Cola and Re-Ciclar have always focused on improving conditions and giving visibility to these men and women and their families. Our negotiations with Coca-Cola and Re-Ciclar have always been about improving conditions and giving visibility to these men and women who have been invisible in this work. For the first time, they have a concrete reality, and it is thanks to Re-Ciclar".

The recycling process at Re-Ciclar begins with people's commitment to properly deposit their beverage bottles correctly at the recycling points. Then the grassroots recyclers and recyclers and managers are responsible for the collection, collection and delivery of the PET plastic to Re-Ciclar. to Re-Ciclar. On arrival at the plant, the bottles go through a process of cleaning, analysis and shredding. analysis and shredding, which converts the container into flakes, known as flakes, which go through a process of extrusion, glass extrusion, crystallisation and post-processing. Extrusion, crystallisation and post-condensation process that allows them to recover the physical and chemical properties of PET. The physical and chemical properties of PET are restored to the recycled resin pellets. Finally, the preforms are produced and loaded onto the production lines where they undergo a heating, blowing and sealing process. where they are heated, blown and filled with new beverages, ready for the end consumer. ready for the end consumer.

Re-Ciclar is the most modern Coca-Cola plant in Latin America and the third in the region after Mexico and Paraguay. the region, along with Mexico and Paraguay. This makes Re-Ciclar a key player in Chile's recycling industry. in the recycling industry in Chile, working closely with all public and private actors in the recycling chain. and private actors in the chain, to achieve a significant social, economic and environmental impact throughout the entire value chain. environmental impact along the entire value chain and to ensure that every PET bottle put on the market has a new life cycle. bottle put on the market has a new life.

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Coca-Cola: Inauguration of the first recycled PET plant in Chile

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