en.Wedoany.com Reported - Niagara Bottling has acquired the assets of the former rPlanet Earth recycling facility in Vernon, California, and plans to restart the plant, integrating recycled PET production into its own beverage manufacturing network to advance vertical integration in the plastics recycling sector.

The 305,000-square-foot facility has been idle since it shut down in late 2025 due to weak demand, macroeconomic challenges, and competition from virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and imported materials.

Niagara plans to initiate operations in phases, incorporating recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) production into its existing beverage production system. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce approximately 45 million pounds of rPET annually, processing post-consumer plastics into flake and pellet. The facility's capability to handle mixed, low-grade baled materials is particularly significant against the backdrop of recent capacity losses in the U.S. recycling industry.

According to ICIS Mechanical Recycling Supply Tracker data, approximately 30% of U.S. mechanical rPET capacity has gone offline since early 2025. Factoring in expansions by recyclers during the same period, net capacity is down about 25% compared to early 2025.

The restart of this facility is expected to moderately improve regional supply-demand dynamics, but overall market conditions for recycled plastics remain challenging.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com