Spittal/Drau (Austria), November 2024. The Brazilian recycling company Grupo Ecological, based in Limeira, to the west of São Paulo, has two plastic recycling lines dedicated to processing challenging post-consumer and post-industrial plastics into high-quality regranulate. Two of Lindner’s Micromat shredders and one Lindner Washtech washing line ensure a consistent throughput and output of high-quality plastic flakes. In a joint project with Unilever, the companies created the first caps made from 100 % recycled post-consumer plastics, helping Unilever reach its 2025 global sustainability objective ahead of schedule. An accolade for Grupo Ecological and for Lindner’s recycling technology.
Sustainability, quality and the best-possible cost-benefit ratio as part of a real circular economy – these values reflect the ethos of the Brazilian company Grupo Ecological. Founded in 2012, the company has built on the extensive knowledge and experience of its predecessor, which had been involved with processing plastics since the 1970s. “Sustainability has played a prominent role at Grupo Ecological ever since its foundation,” explains Fábio Kühl, circular economy advocate and founder of Grupo Ecological. “From the outset our goal was to provide our customers with sustainable and cost-efficient solutions in the area of recycled raw materials, waste management and consultation on matters of sustainability.”
Today, more than a decade later, Grupo Ecological has established itself successfully on the market as a recycling specialist for processing post-consumer and post-industrial plastics. As a manufacturer of high-quality recyclate, the company makes a valuable contribution to a well-functioning circular economy. “We are aware of our socio-ecological responsibility and more than happy to step up to this role,” says Kühl. “It is precisely why we started the #circularsustentável programme.” This is a closed-loop programme that aims to transform post-consumer plastics into high-quality recyclates. These, in turn, should be used to manufacture premium products made entirely from 100 % recyclate – a win-win situation for the economy and the environment which has become a reality in this joint project with Unilever.
Grupo Ecological - success with #circularsustentável
The collaborative project with Unilever stands out as a success story for the #circularsustentável programme. In August 2022, after two years of joint in-depth research, Unilever launched the first caps in Brazil made from 100 % recycled post-consumer recyclate for its Silk and TRESemmé brands. The Rexona, Seda and Comfort brands followed a little while after and were furnished with the same recycled caps, keeping 700 tonnes of plastic recyclate in the loop annually. What’s more, Unilever was able to reach its 2025 global objective to use at least 25 % recycled plastic in its packaging three years earlier than planned. A huge success for Unilever as well as for Grupo Ecological. “Producing recyclate to be used in the cosmetics industry means it requires a high degree of purity, consistent quality as well as it needing to be odourless and virtually neutral in colour,” Kühl explains. “A standard that we are able to achieve thanks to our Lindner washing and recycling plant.”
Recycling technology from Lindner – performance to impress
Fábio Kühl and his team came across Lindner’s technology at a plastics trade show in Brazil. They then visited reference facilities and operating lines that used Lindner shredders and washing lines. Subsequent material tests performed using Lindner plants ultimately resulted in purchasing the first and now second Micromat 1500 along with the washing components from Lindner Washtech.
