European investor Aurelius acquires ECO Plastics

European investor, Aurelius Group, has acquired UK-based plastic reprocessor, ECO Plastics for an undisclosed sum.

Aurelius says it will supply both its operational improvement capabilities and financial support to the Company’s current operations, with a core focus on the long-term strategic development of the business.

Hemswell-based ECO Plastics operates one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated plastic reprocessing plants, capable of sorting 150,000 tonnes of mixed bottles per year and representing around 35 percent of the total UK bottle collection in the UK every year. Since 2000, ECO Plastics has played a leading role in the UK’s plastics recycling sector with the development of new recycled plastic (rPET) products, which have delivered value to local authorities and the waste management industry through feedstock contracting, and by working in partnership with major companies.

“AURELIUS is delighted to have acquired ECO Plastics which has a strong position in the UK marketplace. For customers, suppliers and partners it will be business as usual, and we are committed to working with the Company to deliver long term, sustainable growth,” said Tristan Nagler, Managing Director of Aurelius in London. “AURELIUS has a strong track record in the industrials sector, providing both operational improvement as well as financial support to businesses. We are extremely excited about the future prospects of this business.”

ECO Plastics’ Founder and Deputy Chairman Jonathan Short, commented: “This news is not just a vote of confidence in the future of ECO Plastics, but a vote of confidence in the promising future of the UK’s fast growing recycling sector. Working with AURELIUS will take the ECO Plastics story to the next level. This new owner will not only bring in new expertise and financial resources, but also a shared commitment to the development of a more sustainable, circular economy in the UK.”

Aurelius has a strong track record in the plastics sector. Previous investments in this space include Aurelius‘ acquisition of Wellman International, Europe’s largest recycler of PET bottles and a leading producer of polyester staple fibre products.