As the administrator of the Environmental Opportunities Facility, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested US$ 1.2 million of equity in US company MBA Polymers to develop and operate a joint venture plastics recycling facility in Guangzhou, China. California-based MBA Polymers claims to have developed the first technology for commercial-scale recycling of highly-mixed waste streams containing high-value plastics, such as those commonly found in discarded consumer durables and electronics. Raw material is converted for reuse into high-value engineering plastics; at the same time, an environmentally attractive processing channel is provided for a resource that would otherwise be destined for landfill or incineration.
The choice of China for its first plastic recycling plant outside the USA represents a strategic element of MBA's international expansion plans. China is rapidly becoming a leading consumer of durable goods, electronic equipment and vehicles. The world’s second largest and most rapidly developing user of plastics, the country has to import more than 50% of its plastics needs. MBA’s plant will therefore provide a much more environmentally attractive domestic source.
[inlichtingen]IFC’s mission is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and to improve people’s lives.
Acknowledgement
More information about the IFC can be found at www.ifc.org
