ARA/Bernegger/Der Grüne Punkt: New plastic recycling plant is opening in Upper Austria

2025-07-25 2:21 min Europe, Sorting and collection

ARA - Altstoff Recycling Austria AG Vienna, Austria

Since opening a year ago the state-of-the-art TriPlast sorting plant has made a significant impact on Austria's recycling industry — exceeding expectations.

The owners — Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA), Bernegger, and Der Grüne Punkt — are investing €35 million in a new plant at the Ennshafen location. This plant will take plastic recycling to a new level. The plant will use ARA's patented UPCYCLE process, which will enable the processing of up to 41,000 tons of plastic sorting residues annually. The goal is to produce more high-quality recyclates for sensitive applications, such as food packaging. This will strengthen the circular economy and ensure the security of raw materials in Austria and Europe.

By the end of next year, TriPlast will have added another innovative feature. The technological centerpiece is the UPCYCLE process, which was developed and patented by ARA for enriching polyolefins. This process is already in use in a pilot plant in Pöchlarn, Lower Austria. This process allows TriPlast to further process sorting residues from its own output and additional quantities from other sorting plants that could previously only be used as substitute fuel due to being too dirty or too small. This increases yield and recycling rates. Additionally, the plant offers a solution for processing composite beverage cartons (PolyAl). With the help of fine sorting upstream, individual plastic fractions can be cleaned more specifically to supply high-quality recyclates for subsequent use. The enriched polyolefin fraction will be made suitable for use in the food sector through chemical recycling — or, in the future, through mechanical recycling. The expansion will enable the further processing of up to 41,000 tons of sorting residues.

"With our patented technology, we are setting the next milestone on the path to a comprehensive circular economy. We can now recycle plastics more efficiently and gradually replace primary materials, even in food packaging. Separate collection and precise sorting have always been core competencies of ARA. The next logical step is the further processing and use of secondary raw materials, which makes ecological and economic sense. This will help us supply the Austrian economy with recycled materials and achieve the EU recycling targets," emphasizes Thomas Eck, ARA Executive Board member.

One Year of TriPlast: The initial sorting depth increased from 80% to 85%

The high-tech TriPlast sorting plant is designed to sort 20 tons of material per hour from yellow bags or bins, equating to approximately 100,000 tons per year. After one year of operation, the results have exceeded expectations; the original sorting depth of 80% has increased to 85%. "With TriPlast, we are once again living up to our reputation as a driving force in the domestic circular economy — and we still have a lot to do. With an impressive sorting depth of 85%, we can provide more material for the recycling process. The goal must be to recycle these quantities as completely as possible. With an investment of 35 million euros, we are expanding the plant with our patented UPCYCLE process and establishing the Ennshafen site as an even greater innovation center for the circular economy," Thomas Eck explains.

(Photo credit: ARA)

''Since its official launch on July 1, 2024, the TriPlast plant has exceeded our expectations, running excellently. The sensors detect and analyze 24 different waste fractions and separate them by type, enabling state-of-the-art sorting. A team of 70 employees works on site for the circular economy. Our joint venture is worthwhile for waste management, Austria as a business location, the environment, and the climate," says Kurt Bernegger, managing director of Bernegger GmbH.

''The TriPlast sorting plant is an impressive example of best practices for cross-border circular economy initiatives. Strong partnerships like this one can significantly contribute to Europe's independence from raw materials. TriPlast demonstrates how innovation, technology, and cooperation set new standards in waste recycling. Drawing on our experience with systems, we collaborate to develop solutions that are ecologically and economically sensible and that directly meet the requirements of our brand partners, especially with regard to the increasing recycling rates under the new EU Packaging Regulation," says Laurent Auguste, CEO of Der Grüne Punkt.

www.ara.at

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ARA/Bernegger/Der Grüne Punkt: New plastic recycling plant is opening in Upper Austria

One Year of TriPlast: The initial sorting depth increased from 80% to 85%

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