Områ is a joint venture between Tomra Systems (65 per cent) and Plastretur AS (35 per cent). The total investment amounts to 600 million Norwegian kroner, or just over €50 million.
The state-of-the-art facility sorts all types of plastic packaging waste, including grades that previously ended up mainly in incineration. Using sensor-based sorting technology – a total of 33 NIR sorters – up to ten mono-fractions can be produced, including PE, PP, PET and PS.

Områ is thus a ‘missing link’ in Europe’s circular economy, as for the first time all plastic packaging generated in Norwegian households can be processed into recyclable fractions. Furthermore, the plant is intended to serve as a reliable source of supply for local authorities and waste management companies investing in automated mixed waste sorting.
Currently, around a third of plastic packaging is recycled in Norway, with the remainder predominantly incinerated. With a view to the EU target of a 55 per cent recycling rate by 2030, Områ is set to become a key driver in achieving this goal. 

The name Områ means ‘to reflect’ and ‘to care’ in Norwegian – a deliberate reference to resource conservation and responsible decision-making when dealing with plastics.