Polysmart Packaging Limited has unveiled plans to invest $60 million in the construction of what it says will be Nigeria’s largest and most advanced plastic recycling facility, marking a significant development in the country’s push toward sustainability and circular manufacturing.
According to the company, the project will be delivered in phases, with the first phase scheduled for commissioning by March 2026 and full completion expected by July 2026.
The expansion is aimed at scaling the conversion of post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality recycled materials, while supporting sustainable packaging solutions for Nigeria’s manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors. Industry observers say the investment could play a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem, reducing plastic pollution, and expanding green jobs.
Polysmart said the new facility will deploy cutting-edge recycling technologies, including systems from Sorema, Tomra, and two Erema Vacunite 2621T V-LeaN SSP units. These technologies will allow the plant to process multiple polymer streams, with particular emphasis on producing food-grade recycled PET (rPET) resin and flakes that meet European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Non-food-grade HDPE, LDPE, and polypropylene (PP) materials will also be produced.
Speaking on the development, Wasiu Abolaji Balogun, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Polysmart Packaging Limited, described the project as a milestone for Nigeria’s green economy.
He said the investment goes beyond infrastructure, noting that it is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across waste collection, sorting, technical operations, and plant management, while providing more sustainable livelihoods within the recycling value chain.
When completed, the facility is expected to have an annual input capacity of 100,000 tons of mixed plastics, significantly increasing Nigeria’s recycling capacity. Polysmart estimates that the plant will enable the recovery and recycling of more than 5.5 billion PET bottles annually, diverting substantial volumes of plastic waste from landfills, drainage systems, and waterways.
The company also said local production of certified food-grade rPET will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported virgin plastics, helping manufacturers conserve foreign exchange while lowering overall carbon emissions. The project is projected to deliver carbon savings of up to 170,000 tons, aligning with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Polysmart noted that it is working closely with federal and state environmental authorities to ensure the facility meets international safety and environmental requirements. The company believes the expansion will strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for sustainable manufacturing and green technology, while supporting West Africa’s transition to a more circular plastics economy.
