Packaging thermoformer PWP is investing $20 million or more in a new PET recycling center to be located at an as-yet undetermined location in California. Vernon, CA is the location of the processor's headquarters and processing facility. Only last month the processor opened such a center at its West Virginia processing facility.

The processor bills the move as a step in its path towards industry leadership in environmental stewardship. As with its first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling center, PWP in California will be supplied with post-consumer PET recyclate (PCR-PET) and the requisite recycling technology from Coca-Cola Recycling LLC (Atlanta, GE), a division of the soft-drink giant focused on PET recycling.

In a press release, PWP Industries Chairman and CEO Leon Farahnik said, “With the successful start-up of the West Virginia facility, we believe the time is right to build the largest post-consumer recycling facility in PWP’s founding state of California. This will enable us to further our commitment to save energy, reduce the output of carbon dioxide, and keep plastic out of landfills.” 

As reported by PlasticsToday here, in June 2009 PWP opened an 80,000-ft² in-house post-consumer recycling center in Davisville, WV. After processing the PCR-PET is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-compliant for food contact.

Upon opening in 2010, the California facility is projected to have an annual capacity to recycle 40 million lb of PET. A second phase, projected to be operational during the second quarter of 2011, will double that capacity. —[email protected]