Upper Austria, Ennshafen, July 22, 2025. The high-tech TriPlast sorting plant in Ennshafen has been making a significant contribution to the Austrian circular economy since it went into operation a year ago - and is exceeding expectations. Now the owners Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA), Bernegger and GreenDot are developing a new 35 million euros investment plant, which is being built at the same Ennshafen site and will take plastics recycling to a new level. The UPCYCLE process, developed and patented by ARA, will be used to process up to 41,000 tons of sorting waste plastic every year. The aim is to supply even more high-quality recyclates, including for sensitive applications such as food packaging, in order to strengthen the circular economy and raw material security in Austria and Europe.
By the end of next year, TriPlast is to be enriched by an innovative new feature: The technological centerpiece is the UPCYCLE process developed and patented by ARA for the enrichment of polyolefins, which is already being used in a pilot plant in Pöchlarn, Lower Austria. This means that the sorting plastic residues from the TriPlast output as well as additional quantities from other sorting plants that could previously only be used as substitute fuel - e.g. because they are too contaminated or too small - can be further processed. This increases the yield and recycling rate. The system also offers a solution for processing composite beverage cartons (PolyAl). With the help of upstream fine sorting, individual plastic fractions can also be cleaned in an even more targeted manner to subsequently supply recyclates for high-quality applications: the enriched polyolefin fraction is intended to be suitable for use in the food sector through chemical recycling or even, in the future, through mechanical recycling. The expansion will enable up to approx. 41,000 tons of sorting residues to be further processed.
1 year of TriPlast: original yield of 80% has been increased to 85%
The high-tech TriPlast sorting system is designed to sort 20 tons of material per hour from the Yellow Bag or Yellow Bin, i.e. around 100,000 tons per year. The results after one year of operation have exceeded expectations: the original yield of 80% has been increased to 85%.
“TriPlast is a compelling best practice example for cross-border circular economy initiatives,” says Laurent Auguste, CEO of GreenDot. “We firmly believe that strong partnerships built on pooled expertise can make a decisive contribution to Europe's resource independence. TriPlast demonstrates how innovation, technology and collaboration can set new benchmarks in waste utilization. With our long-standing experience in system leadership, we are developing solutions that are both environmentally and economically sound, and that directly support our brand-owner customers in meeting the rising recycling targets outlined in the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.”
"With TriPlast, we are once again living up to our reputation as a driving force in the Austrian recycling industry - and we still have big plans. With a yield of an impressive 85%, we can provide even more material for the recycling process. The aim must be to subsequently recycle these quantities as completely as possible. By investing EUR 35 million, we are expanding the plant with our patented UPCYCLE process and turning the Ennshafen site into an even larger innovation center for the circular economy," explains Thomas Eck, Chairman of the ARA.
Since its official launch on July 1, 2024, TriPlast has not only operated smoothly but surpassed expectations. Its sensors detect 24 different waste fractions, analyze and sort them by type, enabling state-of-the-art separation. A diverse team of 70 employees works on-site in service of the circular economy. “It pays off to pull together daily as a joint venture – for waste management, Austria’s economic future, the environment, and the climate,” adds Kurt Bernegger, CEO of Bernegger GmbH.
About Green Dot Global S.à r.l.
Green Dot Global is dedicated to address the plastic waste crisis by developing solutions and assets which close the circularity loop of plastics through the production of high-quality recyclates, including from difficult to recycle waste streams. The group’s portfolio spans both mechanical and chemical recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) licensing services as well as consulting on EPR systems and design-for-recycling. The foundation of the group was laid 35 years ago in Germany with Der Grüne Punkt which created the world’s first nationwide EPR program for household packaging, including hard to recycle plastics like flexible films. Since then the group constantly expanded its business areas in order to serve all requirements of the circular economy for plastics. To date the group has presences in Germany, Austria as well as Italy, and continues to widen its network. www.green-dot.com
About the ARA
The future. Cycle. Economy. Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) has been a driving force in the Austrian waste and recycling industry for more than 30 years and is the market leader in collection and recycling systems for packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries. ARA, with its subsidiaries ARAplus GmbH, Austria Glas Recycling GmbH, DiGiDO GmbH, Digi-Cycle GmbH, ERA GmbH and TriPlast GmbH, is today regarded as international best practice and, as a partner to the economy, develops tailor-made disposal solutions in the waste and recycling industry: from decommissioning and material flow management to circular design and digitalization of the circular economy. ARA AG serves more than 15,000 customers. It is owned by domestic companies and operates as a non-profit organization. www.ara.at
About Bernegger
We have been moving sustainably for more than 75 years. Founded as a family business in Molln, Bernegger is active in the fields of construction, raw materials and the environment. Today, innovative projects are implemented at 20 locations with around 1000 employees through handshake quality, courage and many strong hands, which have even been awarded national and international sustainability prizes. We make an important contribution to an intact environment, particularly in the areas of recycling and waste management. Compliance with high environmental protection standards is particularly important to us. Our activities are all about the circular economy, which is not just being introduced at Bernegger, but is already a way of life. www.bernegger.at
If you have any questions, please contact:
GreenDot
Marlene Staiger
Tel. +49 2203 937508
E-Mail: marlene.staiger@gruener-punkt.de
ARA AG
Simone de Raaij
Tel.: +43.01.599 97-31
E-Mail: simone.deraaij@ara.at
Ecker & Partner
Alexandra Ebner
Tel.: +43 650 33 12 755
E-Mail: a.ebner(at)eup.at
Bernegger
Melanie Gsöllhofer
Tel. +43.664.78.29.91.91
E-Mail: melanie.gsoellhofer@bernegger.a
Image: (©) ARA, Schneeberger