Second PET recycling line boosts Doğa PET capacity to 200 tons of rPET per day in Türkiye
Herbold Meckesheim expands PET recycling capacity in Türkiye with second high-efficiency washing line for Doğa PET
The global push toward a circular plastics economy continues to accelerate, and investments in PET recycling technology are becoming increasingly strategic for recyclers and packaging manufacturers alike. In Türkiye, a new development highlights this momentum: Herbold Meckesheim, a leading provider of plastics recycling machinery, has secured a second major order from Turkish recycler Doğa PET to supply an additional PET washing line.
The project will significantly expand recycling output at Doğa PET’s facility in Kırklareli, strengthening the company’s role in regional PET recycling infrastructure while increasing the availability of high-quality recycled PET (rPET) for the packaging industry.
Doubling PET recycling capacity in Türkiye
The new installation will effectively double the washing capacity at Doğa PET’s recycling plant. Once operational, the facility will be able to produce approximately 200 metric tons of rPET flakes per day, marking a major step forward for PET recycling capacity in Türkiye.
The order follows the strong performance of the first PET washing line supplied by Herbold Meckesheim, which has been operating continuously since the first quarter of 2024. Over the past two years, the system has delivered stable throughput and consistent output quality, factors that ultimately convinced Doğa PET to replicate the configuration with a second system.
For recycling operations handling large volumes of post-consumer bottles, reliability and process stability are critical. According to the customer, the proven operational performance of the original PET recycling system provided the confidence needed to scale production while maintaining strict quality standards.
Replicating a proven PET recycling process
The second PET washing line will be technically identical in its core configuration to the existing installation. Maintaining the same process layout and throughput parameters ensures operational consistency, simplifies operator training, and reduces integration risks.
At the heart of the system are several advanced technologies widely used in modern PET recycling plants, including:
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Forced feeding granulators designed to process lightweight plastic materials efficiently
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A batch-based hot washing system that removes adhesives, labels, and organic contamination
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Hydrocyclone density separation technology to isolate PET flakes from other plastics and impurities
Together, these technologies enable recyclers to produce high-purity rPET flakes, suitable for demanding downstream applications such as bottle-to-bottle recycling and food-grade packaging.
By replicating a system already proven in continuous operation, the new installation will allow Doğa PET to scale its production while maintaining predictable performance across both washing lines.
Process optimisation based on operational experience
Although the overall configuration mirrors the first plant, Herbold Meckesheim has incorporated process optimisations based on operational insights gained from the existing system.
One of the most important improvements is a higher pre-sorting capacity, which will increase to 8.0 tons per hour. Enhancing this stage is critical because pre-sorting determines the consistency and quality of the input stream entering the washing process.
To achieve this upgrade, Herbold will supply additional equipment including:
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A debaler, which breaks apart compressed PET bottle bales to enable efficient material handling
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A combined washing drum, integrating both wet and dry sections into a single machine
This integrated drum design improves material flow while stabilizing throughput in the early stages of the recycling process. It also helps manage variations in input material composition, which is increasingly common as collection systems evolve.
These technical refinements demonstrate how PET recycling systems can evolve over time, incorporating lessons learned from real-world plant operation.
Installation timeline and project support
Preparations for delivering the new PET washing line are already underway. The first equipment shipments are scheduled to begin in early March 2026, marking the start of the implementation phase.
Installation and commissioning at the Kırklareli facility will begin shortly after the equipment arrives. Throughout the process, Herbold Meckesheim will provide full project support, including:
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Logistics coordination for international equipment delivery
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On-site installation and mechanical integration
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System commissioning and process optimisation
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Operator training for plant personnel
This end-to-end approach ensures that the PET recycling plant expansion progresses smoothly and reaches full operational capacity as quickly as possible.
Strategic importance of rPET production
The expansion comes at a time when demand for recycled PET (rPET) continues to grow worldwide. Governments and brand owners are increasingly introducing recycled content targets for packaging, particularly beverage bottles.
As a result, the availability of high-quality food-grade rPET flakes has become a critical factor for packaging supply chains.
By doubling its PET recycling capacity, Doğa PET strengthens its position as a major supplier of recycled plastic materials in the region. Increased output will help support the transition toward more sustainable packaging solutions while reducing dependence on virgin polymer production.
For machinery manufacturers such as Herbold Meckesheim, projects like this demonstrate the growing demand for high-efficiency plastics recycling systems capable of processing large volumes of post-consumer waste.
Industry showcase at RePlast Eurasia 2026
Professionals interested in advanced plastics recycling technologies will also have the opportunity to explore Herbold Meckesheim’s solutions at the upcoming RePlast Eurasia 2026 exhibition.
From March 26 to March 28, 2026, the company will exhibit together with Coperion, a specialist in extrusion and compounding technology. The two companies will present integrated recycling solutions designed to handle complex plastic waste streams.
Visitors attending the event in Istanbul can explore the companies’ full technology portfolio at Hall 11, Booth 1101B.
The joint presentation will highlight how mechanical recycling systems and extrusion technologies can be combined to create high-efficiency recycling lines capable of converting plastic waste into valuable secondary raw materials.
Outlook for PET recycling in Türkiye
The second PET washing line supplied to Doğa PET reflects a broader trend across Europe and Asia: the rapid expansion of PET recycling capacity to meet regulatory and market demand for recycled plastics.
As infrastructure investments continue, facilities like the Kırklareli plant will play an increasingly important role in closing the plastics loop and strengthening regional recycling ecosystems.
With the new installation scheduled for 2026, Doğa PET is positioning itself to meet growing demand for rPET flakes, while Herbold Meckesheim continues to reinforce its reputation as a leading technology provider in the global PET recycling industry.
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