Recupac and Lindner demonstrate a successful path forward
02.09.2026New regulations in Chile, Colombia and, most recently, Brazil are introducing mandatory recycling and extended producer responsibility targets, reshaping the economics of the plastics industry across the region. In Chile, Recupac, part of the Coipsa Group, demonstrates how advanced technology, process control and strategic partnerships can transform post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality recycled raw materials.
Lindner reinforces its commitment to serving as a strategic partner for the regional recycling industry
© Lindner Recyclingtech
The Latin American plastics recycling industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by a structural shift: the growing number of regulations requiring manufacturers and importers to return the plastic they place on the market back into the production cycle. In October 2025, Brazil enacted Decree No. 12,688/2025, regulating the reverse logistics of plastic packaging and establishing two key targets: a recovery rate, measuring the collection and proper treatment of plastic packaging, and a recycled content index, introducing a mandatory minimum recycled content of 22 % from 2026 onwards, with non-compliance subject to fines of up to BRL 50 million.
Brazil is following a path already established by its neighboring countries. Since 2016, Chile has enforced the REP Law (Law No. 20,920), targeting a 32 % plastic recovery rate by 2026, while Colombia adopted Law 2232 in 2022, requiring PET bottles to contain a minimum of 50 % recycled content, increasing to 90 % by 2030. The regional trend is clear: increasingly ambitious recycling targets and legally driven demand for recycled materials are creating new opportunities for companies such as Chile's Recupac and technology partners like Lindner Washtech.
Eugenio Bascuñan, Industrial Manager at Recupac
© Lindner Recyclingtech
From waste management to material
Recupac, the waste management division of the Coipsa Group, has spent more than 35 years building its role in Chile's circular economy. The company serves approximately 500 customers and manages more than 150 000 t of waste annually. Its latest milestone is its LDPE recycling facility in San Bernardo, with a production capacity of 500 t per month, where recycled pellets already replace approximately 40 % of the virgin resin used in new plastic film production.
"At Recupac, we play a well-defined role within Chile's circular economy by helping our customers become more competitive through integrated waste management focused on maximizing material value with full traceability and a circular approach," explains Macarena Hadad, Business Development Deputy Manager at Recupac. According to her, the LDPE project emerged from the realization that simply managing this material was no longer enough. "We saw an opportunity to go one step further by transforming it into a new recycled raw material capable of re-entering manufacturing processes."
Lindner’s LDPE recycling line
© Lindner Recyclingtech
The key to consistent, high-quality recycled materials
Transforming post-consumer plastics – heterogeneous, contaminated materials from highly variable sources – into consistently high-quality recycled pellets requires rigorous process control at every stage: from collecting materials directly from customers, through sorting and baling operations, to secondary quality inspection and the recycling line itself, including shredding, washing, drying and extrusion.
"The key is understanding that quality does not depend on a single processing step, but on the entire integrated process. Quality is built step by step through proper pre-sorting, efficient cleaning, process stability and close control of operating parameters at every stage. And Lindner enables us to operate a highly efficient and stable washing process, which is essential when processing post-consumer materials, where contamination and variability are inherent challenges," said Eugenio Bascuñan, Industrial Manager at Recupac.
The washing stage creates a clean and homogeneous material stream that integrates seamlessly with the downstream Erema extrusion line, Lindner's long-standing technology partner in plastics recycling. "The quality of the final pellet depends on how well both processes work together. It is not simply about achieving excellent washing or extrusion individually, but about maintaining a fully integrated, continuous and controlled process from start to finish using state-of-the-art technology," he summarizes.
According to Recupac, the results are reflected in both product consistency and operational reliability. "The implementation of this recycling line has represented a significant step forward. Today, we operate a far more stable process with higher cleaning efficiency, more consistent pellet quality and greater operational efficiency" says Bascuñan, emphasizing that these improvements provide greater confidence in meeting increasingly demanding customer and industrial application requirements.
Lindner expands its presence in Latin America
Beyond the technology itself, both Recupac executives emphasize the importance of the close partnership established with Lindner throughout the project. "Local support has been essential. I would describe our collaboration with Lindner as one built on mutual cooperation and continuous support."
The Recupac project reflects a broader strategic direction at Lindner and Lindner Washtech, a specialist in plastics washing technologies that continues to expand its portfolio of solutions to meet the increasing quality requirements of recycled plastics.
To support this growth throughout the region, the company established Lindner subsidiary in 2025, with headquarters in São Paulo, Brazil, under the leadership of Frederico Hartmann.
The new subsidiary strengthens Lindner's regional presence by providing local technical support, project development, commercial assistance.
As the circular economy continues to expand and regulations increasingly promote the use of recycled content across Latin America, Lindner reinforces its commitment to serving as a strategic partner for the regional recycling industry.
