The SHA signals a new start for glass recycling company, Maltha, which has sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Portugal and Hungary.
Previously, Maltha was majority owned by Van Gansewinkel. A new SHA was required following the merger earlier this year between Van Gansewinkel and Shanks to create Renewi (see letsrecycle.com story).
Following the SHA, Renewi will continue to own 67% of the joint venture, with O-I, retaining its 33% stake.
The companies said together they will deliver an “important contribution” to the circular economy by producing high-quality raw materials from waste glass.
Commingled
Maltha processes waste glass sourced Europe-wide, from Scandinavia to Portugal. A significant volume is sourced in the UK – mainly glass from the recyclable commingled collection. The UK glass is processed in the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.
Maltha recycles both flat and container glass into “cullet” and glass powder for reuse in the glass industry. The cullet and powders produced are sold to some of the leading glass manufacturers, including O-I, and makers of other glass products.
O-I uses recycled glass cullet in its glass making process to manufacture glass containers for a range of sectors including food and beverage packaging. It also provides glass packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Feedstocks
Renewi currently delivers the main feedstocks for the O-I glass furnace in Harlow, Essex.
Commenting on the development, Bas Blom, managing director of Renewi’s Monostream Division – which comprises four businesses: Coolrec, Minerals, Orgaworld and Maltha – said: “We are very pleased to have signed the new agreement with O-I for our Maltha joint venture. Maltha is run by experts from complementary parts of the value chain for glass products.
“Together, we give new life to used materials by ensuring that our circular product can be recycled over and over again without loss of quality. The new agreement gives us a firm base from which to grow for the future, giving security to our operations and our employees.”
Recyclability
Michael Prechtl, O-I country group executive north/central Europe, added: “Maltha makes the best use of the unique properties of glass, whose 100% recyclability ensures it remains the most sustainable packaging material. Much of our production contains over 80% recycled glass.
“Our new agreement with Renewi strengthens Maltha’s ability to provide a consistent, uncontaminated supply of high-quality cullet to much of O-I’s European operation.”
Maltha has had a long relationship with O-I, which has jointly owned Maltha with the Van Gansewinkel business since 1996. According to the company’s website, Maltha processes over 1 million tonnes of glass waste each year.
Subscribe for free