Kazakhstan sets up PET waste-to-fibre recycling plant

Construction of a plant for the processing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and the production of staple fibre has been completed in the Turkestan region in southern Kazakhstan.

Investors in the project were Kazakhstan GreenTechnology Industries in cooperation with the foreign partner — Hong Kong General Industry and Commerce (China).

The plant started production of the first stage — washing, drying and crushing PET waste, where 73 people are already employed. Now the company has started to launch the next stage — organisation of staple fibre production.

With the full launch of the plant, more than 250 jobs will be created.

Hong Kong General Industry and Commerce Co Ltd is a subsidiary of the international holding company Tianrun Group. It is the largest manufacturer and exporter of sectional heating radiators. The holding’s turnover is US$400 million a year; it has production facilities in China and Europe.

Kazakh Invest national investment promotion company provided assistance in connecting the project to gas supply networks, as well as obtaining a working visa for the management and specialists of the Chinese company.

According to official statistics, 5-6 million tonnes of solid household waste are stored annually in Kazakhstan, of which about 150-200,000 tonnes is PET waste. At the same time, only a small proportion of solid household waste, from 3% to 5%, is estimated to be disposed of or recycled.

The total cost of the project is US$20 million. It is planned that 50,000 tonnes/year of finished products will be produced at the plant.