Russia's largest plastic recycling plant opens near Moscow with full-cycle innovation
Russia's largest plastic recycling facility, Ecoline-Vtorplast, has officially opened in the Moscow region. The plant marks a major step in the country's waste management, turning plastic bottles and packaging into high-quality recycled materials. With federal support and advanced technology, the project aims to cut waste while creating jobs and revenue. The facility processes plastic waste from the nearby Vostok waste complex, which sorts 21 different types of plastic. Each year, it can handle up to 120,000 containers, converting them into granules pure enough for food packaging. These granules are then used to make new products, including garbage bins and pallets containing 30% to 100% recycled material.
The project cost 11.7 billion rubles, with 2.9 billion rubles coming from federal funds. Over 41% of the equipment was produced in Russia, while the rest arrived from Turkey, Serbia, and China. The site also features a closed-loop water treatment system, reusing purified water in production to reduce waste.
A key part of the plant is its partnership with SIBUR, Russia's largest petrochemical company. Under a new agreement, Ecoline-Vtorplast will supply shredded plastic to SIBUR for turning into recycled pellets—materials later used in water bottle production. This creates Russia's first full-cycle plastic recycling system, from waste collection to finished goods.
The facility is expected to bring economic benefits too. Over the next decade, it should generate 4.5 billion rubles in tax revenue and employ up to 200 local residents. The plant's launch supports Russia's growing demand for recycled plastics, particularly in packaging and manufacturing. Its advanced systems and local partnerships aim to reduce landfill waste while supplying industries with high-quality materials. The project also highlights increasing investment in domestic recycling technology.
