As industries across the Gulf intensify efforts to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency, partnerships between manufacturers and recyclers are becoming increasingly important. In Kuwait, a new agreement between Metal and Recycling Company (MRC) and Equate Petrochemical Company (Equate) aims to ensure that plastic waste generated through industrial operations is diverted from disposal streams and reintroduced into the value chain.

Under the agreement, MRC will manage and recycle the plastic waste produced at Equate’s facilities, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible resource management.

Closing the Loop on Industrial Plastic Waste

The initiative focuses on developing a structured collection and recycling process for plastic waste generated during Equate’s operations. As part of the arrangement, 20 dedicated collection containers will be installed across Equate’s facilities, allowing waste materials to be gathered and transported regularly to MRC’s recycling operations.

Once received, the materials will undergo sorting, processing and recycling using specialised systems designed to maximise material recovery while adhering to environmental standards.

The project reflects a broader shift within the industrial sector towards circular economy practices, where waste materials are increasingly viewed as valuable resources that can be recovered and reused rather than discarded.

Supporting Kuwait’s Sustainability Agenda

For MRC, the partnership aligns closely with its wider sustainability strategy and growing role in Kuwait’s recycling ecosystem.

The company operates across a range of environmental and industrial services, including waste management, plastic recycling, metal scrap processing, hazardous waste management and facilities management for sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals and manufacturing.

It is also developing the Mina Abdullah Eco-Industrial Park, a project designed to strengthen sustainable industrial infrastructure and logistics capabilities in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035 objectives.

As one of the country’s leading plastic recyclers, MRC supplies recycled and virgin plastic raw materials to converters in local and international markets, helping create secondary material streams that reduce reliance on virgin resources.

Driving Industrial Sustainability

Commenting on the agreement, Tarek Ibrahim Al Mousa, Vice Chairman and CEO of MRC, emphasised the importance of integrating environmental responsibility into industrial operations.

“Industrial sustainability is at the core of MRC’s business, as we work to enable our customers and partners to balance operational activity with environmental impact and social responsibility – whether through the waste management and recycling solutions we provide, or by harnessing our advanced facilities to support environmental and industrial initiatives. Today, we are pleased to partner with Equate, supporting its efforts to manage and recycle the plastic waste generated by its industrial operations.”