Biffa merges PET recycling with Esterform, creating an end-to-end circular packaging business ahead of the UK Deposit Return Scheme.
Biffa has successfully completed the merger of its UK PET recycling operations with Esterform, a well-established British manufacturer of PET pre-forms and bottles. This strategic move marks a significant step forward in creating a fully integrated, circular PET packaging business in the UK, positioning both companies to benefit from the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) scheduled for 2027, which is expected to substantially increase the volume of PET drink bottles available for recycling.
The transaction follows an initial investment by Biffa in Esterform in 2023, culminating in the full acquisition of the company. Esterform operates manufacturing sites in West Yorkshire and Worcestershire, where recycled PET pellets are transformed into pre-forms—test tube-shaped intermediates—that are subsequently blow-moulded into bottles and containers used across a wide range of sectors including beverages, food, personal care, and household products. By merging with Esterform, Biffa strengthens its position in the UK’s circular economy, enabling a streamlined, cradle-to-cradle process for PET materials collected from local recycling streams.
Going forward, Esterform and Biffa’s existing PET recycling operations will operate under the newly established Esterpet brand. Together, they will form a wholly owned portfolio business within the Biffa Group, retaining Esterform founder Mark Tyne and his management team at the helm. This structure is designed to harness the expertise of both organisations while leveraging Biffa’s investment to provide food and drink manufacturers with a high-quality, circular solution for their packaging needs. The integrated operations will focus on delivering food-grade recycled PET, alongside pre-form bottles and containers derived entirely from materials collected for recycling within the UK.
This merger further complements Biffa’s extensive recycling capabilities. The company’s long-standing HDPE and PP recycling facilities in Redcar—renowned for their world-first closed-loop solution for HDPE milk bottles—will continue to operate under the Biffa Polymers brand, led by Managing Director James McLeary. Together, these operations highlight Biffa’s commitment to advancing a sustainable packaging ecosystem across multiple plastic streams, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a pioneer in UK recycling and circular economy solutions.
By uniting PET recycling and manufacturing under a single, fully integrated business, Biffa is now uniquely positioned to offer end-to-end circular solutions that align with both regulatory developments and growing industry demand for sustainable packaging alternatives. This acquisition exemplifies the company’s ongoing focus on innovation, environmental responsibility, and supporting the transition toward a more sustainable, closed-loop plastic economy in the UK.
Michael Topham, CEO of Biffa, said: "After a successful initial investment in Esterform in 2023, completing this acquisition strengthens our closed-loop PET recycling and packaging capabilities. By combining Biffa’s recycling assets with Esterform’s manufacturing expertise, we are creating a sophisticated, end-to-end circular PET packaging solutions provider ahead of the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme."
Mark Tyne, Founder and Director of Esterform, added: "This is an exciting new chapter for Esterform. Becoming part of the Biffa Group enables us to accelerate our mission to provide high-quality, circular PET packaging solutions in the UK. With Biffa’s continued investment and support, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging while maintaining the expertise and agility our customers value."
