Nigeria is set to host one of Africa’s most advanced plastic recycling facilities as Polysmart Packaging Limited rolls out a $60 million investment aimed at reshaping how plastic waste is managed and reused across the country.
The project, described as one of the largest private-sector investments in recycling infrastructure in Nigeria, is expected to come on stream in phases, beginning in the first quarter of 2026 and reaching full operational capacity by mid-year. When completed, the plant will significantly expand local recycling capacity and position Nigeria as a key player in sustainable materials production in West Africa.
At full scale, the facility will be able to process up to 100,000 metric tonnes of mixed plastic waste annually. This includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as well as other commonly used plastics such as HDPE, LDPE, and polypropylene. In practical terms, this means billions of used plastic bottles and containers that would otherwise end up in landfills, waterways, or open dumps will be recovered and converted into valuable industrial inputs.
A major focus of the investment is the production of food-grade recycled PET, also known as rPET. This material is widely used in beverage bottles and food packaging and must meet strict international safety standards. By producing certified rPET locally, Polysmart is addressing a long-standing gap in Nigeria’s manufacturing ecosystem, where food and beverage companies have relied heavily on imported raw materials.
Industry analysts note that Nigeria consumes several hundred thousand tonnes of PET annually, driven largely by the fast-moving consumer goods and beverage sectors. Local production of high-quality recycled resin could reduce foreign exchange pressure, shorten supply chains, and improve price stability for manufacturers.
The new plant will be powered by advanced sorting and recycling systems designed to separate plastics accurately and process them efficiently. These technologies allow different types of plastic to be recycled simultaneously, improving output quality and reducing waste during processing. The result is recycled material that can compete with virgin plastic in both performance and safety.
Beyond manufacturing, the project is expected to have a strong impact on jobs and small businesses. Thousands of direct and indirect roles are projected across waste collection, aggregation, logistics, equipment operation, maintenance, and quality control. Informal waste pickers and community-based collectors are also likely to benefit from a more structured and reliable demand for recyclable materials.
Environmental impact data highlights the scale of the opportunity. Recycling one tonne of PET can save up to 60 per cent of the energy required to produce virgin plastic and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the expanded capacity, Polysmart estimates carbon savings running into hundreds of thousands of tonnes over time, alongside reduced pressure on crude oil resources used in plastic production.
Nigeria currently generates millions of tonnes of plastic waste each year, with recycling rates still in the single digits. Large-scale facilities such as this are seen as critical to closing that gap and moving the country closer to a circular economy, where materials are reused rather than discarded after a single life cycle.
The investment also reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s industrial and environmental reform space. As global brands tighten sustainability requirements across their supply chains, locally available recycled materials are becoming increasingly important. Projects of this scale help ensure that Nigerian manufacturers can meet those standards without sourcing inputs from abroad.
With construction timelines already defined and technology procurement underway, the Polysmart expansion stands out as a concrete example of how private capital, environmental responsibility, and industrial growth can align.
More than a recycling plant, the project represents a shift toward treating waste as an economic resource and positioning Nigeria at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing in the region.
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