Processing of used Polyethylene Terephthalate Bottle to High Value Pellets

A Japanese Company based in Tokyo has set-up a pilot project for processing of post-consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles to high value, high purity pellets for use used in the local market.  This follows a study conducted by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to solve the proliferation of post-consumer PET Bottles in the Kenyan environment. The project is being implemented by JKUAT, JICA, TOBE Ltd and National Chemical Trading Company, Japan.

A JICA Delegation Visiting the Project

Tobe-Shoji is a Japanese company, established in 1893, founded by Hatsugoro Tobe. Tobe saw the demand for bottles was increasing due to the start of sales of domestic beer. He started Tobe as a bottle seller that recovered, washed, and resold used bottles to beer companies among other clients. Tobe’s has a concept to “find ways to use things longer instead of simply trashing them”. Today Tobe Ltd is among the leading companies in PET Bottle recycling and has attained the “from bottle to bottle” concept that is recycling used PET bottles to manufacture new PET bottles. A concept in business that many companies struggle to attain.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with other key stakeholders in the Kenyan economy namely; National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Pet Recycling Company (PETCO) among others. The project is implemented at a cost of One Hundred and Two Million, five hundred and ninety-two thousand, four hundred and ninety thousand Only (102,592,490.00).

The products, high grade PET pellets are sold to plastic manufacturing companies ; the main outlet being Thika Based Tee Pee Industries Ltd.