Tunisia-based Sotipapier is Africa’s leading manufacturer of corrugated paper and kraft bag paper. In an industry-first agreement for the country, Tetra Pak Maghreb has joined forces with the paper mill.
Ground-breaking recycling collaboration
As part of the collaboration Sotipapier will produce kraft paper using high-quality paper fibre from recycled Tetra Pak packages. The remaining material from the packages will be recycled into pellets, which can be used to manufacture other products.
Tetra Pak Maghreb will also collaborate with local stakeholders to increase the collection and recycling of UBCs in the region. The ambition is to get more customers and partners involved in this journey.
“This partnership is the first of its kind in Tunisia and in the Maghreb region,” said Tetra Pak Maghreb Managing Director Laurent Rodier. “It emphasises Tetra Pak’s ambition to lead the sustainability transformation. We are making a specific investment with local stakeholders, providing technical expertise, and sharing global experience to create a sustainable recycling value chain."
Kraft paper from recycled cartons
Since the agreement ceremony held in March 2023, Sotipapier has received all the necessary equipment and begun installation. The projected start date for operations is in April 2024.
“We are pleased to add beverage carton recycling to our portfolio by partnering with Tetra Pak. Recycling this type of packaging requires advanced technology and expertise, which Tetra Pak, as a world leader, brings to us,” says Sotipapier Chief Executive Officer Philippe Lacoste. “We believe this partnership will enhance our ambition to become the leader in sustainable packaging solutions in Africa and we will work to extend this collaboration and partnership to other geographies beyond Tunisia.”
Increased capacity, future initiatives
Once the line is up and running, Sotipapier is expected to improve its recycling capacity with a target of 9,000 tonnes of recycled beverage cartons within the next three years. The company’s leadership is optimistic about the cooperation with Tetra Pak, seeing it as an important precedent for not only strengthening Sotipapier’s position as a kraft paper and cardboard market leader but also as a model for future, similar recycling initiatives in Africa.
