In an industrial landscape where global economic uncertainty has forced many recyclers to scale back expansion plans, forward-thinking machinery providers are doubling down on strategic European hubs. Engineering specialist SOREMA has officially expanded its footprint in Eastern Europe after being selected by Total Recycling SRL to supply an advanced washing and processing line in Timișoara, Romania. This initiative represents a milestone for both organizations, establishing dedicated infrastructure aimed at producing high-grade recycled polypropylene (rPP) for demanding secondary applications.

The announcement builds upon SOREMA’s track record across the continent and reinforces its technical leadership backed by parent company PREVIERO Group. SOREMA also secured the Italian public procurement system’s highest SOA Certification (Category OS14 – Classification VIII). This accreditation underscores SOREMA’s engineering capability and financial stability at a pivotal time for municipal and industrial circular projects across the European Union.

The core of the contract centers on a processing line capable of handling 2 metric tons of material per hour. Designed specifically to transform complex, contaminated post-consumer and post-industrial scrap, the system will process feedstocks collected locally across Romania as well as streams imported from neighbouring EU member states.

Rather than producing low-grade re-granulate suitable only for simple applications, the facility prioritizes rigorous purity standards. The SOREMA line integrates a modular workflow encompassing complete mechanical sorting, pre-washing, and a specialized batch hot-washing phase. Hot-washing remains a critical technical differentiator in polypropylene recycling, eliminating persistent organic odors, adhesive residues, and surface oils that traditional cold-washing systems fail to strip away.

By producing ultra-clean flakes ready for compounding and extrusion, the Timișoara plant will provide raw materials capable of replacing virgin polypropylene in automotive parts, packaging, building materials, and agricultural goods. Polypropylene recycling Romania

The agreement between SOREMA and Total Recycling arrives during a complex period for European plastics processors. High energy tariffs, fluctuating virgin resin pricing, and regulatory shifts under the EU Circular Economy Action Plan have created a selective investment climate. Companies are moving away from speculative volume-driven capacity and focusing investments on targeted, high-purity processing capabilities that can withstand shifting market cycles.

Total Recycling’s selection of SOREMA highlights the importance of verified expertise when deploying capital-intensive technology. Founded in 2003, Total Recycling has systematically expanded its Timișoara operations to handle diverse polymers including PE, PS, ABS, and PP. Partnering with SOREMA allows the Romanian company to scale its high-purity polypropylene output while leveraging decades of machinery optimization from the PREVIERO engineering legacy.

Installation and commissioning for the new 2 t/h line are structured around a multi-phase engineering deployment, with final plant start-up scheduled for mid-2027. Once fully operational, the site will join SOREMA’s growing installed base across Eastern Europe, serving as a regional benchmark for circular polypropylene processing.

As the European Union moves toward mandatory recycled content targets for packaging and automotive sectors, the Timișoara facility positions Total Recycling and SOREMA at the forefront of the continent’s industrial transition—proving that quality-driven technology remains resilient even in challenging economic times.