Food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) producer Circularix is set to expand its production with the opening of its second facility in Ocala, Florida, US.

The facility aims to commence operations by the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.

The Florida facility will replicate Circularix's existing facility in Pennsylvania, which has been operational since early 2023. This expansion will double the company’s production capacity, with each site producing 55 million pounds (mlb) of post-consumer rPET pellets annually.

Furthermore, the company has plans to double the output of its Pennsylvania plant, which will further enhance the company's production capability to 165mlb annually, tripling the existing output.

The expansion of Circularix's production footprint is part of a broader strategy to establish a network of recycling facilities across the US.

With future locations planned for Texas and states on the West Coast, Circularix aims to cement its role as a key player in the domestic rPET market.

The timing of this expansion is seen as pivotal as beverage brands and consumer packaged goods companies strive to incorporate more recycled content into their packaging to fulfil voluntary commitments and adhere to state mandates.

Circularix's increased production capacity is poised to be instrumental in assisting these companies to achieve their sustainability objectives and contribute to a more circular plastics economy.

Circularix co-founder and executive vice-president Jason Farahnik said: “The completion of our Ocala facility represents a crucial step in our commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-quality recycled materials."

In January 2024, Circularix announced a supply agreement with waste disposal company Republic Services.