On June 30, 2023, Borealis announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Rialti S.p.A., a polypropylene (PP) compounder of recyclates based in the Varese area of Italy, subject to regulatory approvals. On Nov. 2, the parties announced the closing of the transaction.

Rialti is one of the European market leaders specialized in production of sustainable PP compounds with a focus on mechanically recycled PP feedstock from post-industrial and post-consumer waste. Based in the area of Varese, Italy, Rialti has over 30 years of experience. The company utilizes its annual capacity of 50,000 tons to make injection moulding and extrusion PP compounds with applications in different industries, including automotive, appliances and construction.

The acquisition will bring significant expertise and capacity to Borealis, expanding its PP compounding business and, in particular, increasing its volume of PP compounds based on mechanical recyclates. The improved capacity will strengthen Borealis’ speciality and circular portfolios, enabling the company to meet customer demand for an ever-wider range of sustainable, high-performance solutions. By adding Rialti’s expertise in compounding of mechanically recycled PP to Borealis’ know-how and innovation leadership, it will contribute to close the loop for a more circular economy. The move also represents a proof point of Borealis’ EverMinds commitment to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and progress towards its ambitious targets.

“Mechanical recycling is a key component of our integrated circular cascade model, which is a cornerstone of our future-positive transformation and path to net zero. The acquisition of Rialti provides a vital expansion of our recyclate-based PP compound capacity, and marks another critical step on our path to reinventing essentials for sustainable living,” says Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis executive vice president Polyolefins, Circularity and Innovation & Technology.

“Borealis is at the forefront of our industry’s mission to advance plastics circularity. With the closing of this transaction, I am pleased to see Rialti’s capacity and expertise contributing to this endeavour. I am convinced that Borealis and Rialti now look forward to a shared future of growth and innovation, ultimately enabling them to provide their customers with an even wider range of advanced PP compound solutions,” comments Massimo Dal Toso, CEO of Rialti.