Recyloop Sürdürülebilir Ambalaj AŞ has announced that US retail giant PARTYCITY has transferred its high-speed, fully automated paper cup production lines to Türkiye. This strategic move is expected to strengthen Türkiye’s position in sustainable packaging manufacturing while raising environmental and quality standards across the sector.
High-Tech Transfer from the US to Türkiye
According to Ömer Erhan Eroğlu, a Board Member at Recyloop, the company’s new-generation facility in Istanbul’s Silivri district will focus entirely on recyclable, paper-based packaging. The plant will feature systems designed to minimize water and energy consumption while delivering high efficiency through fully automated operations.
Eroğlu emphasized that the transferred lines are high-value production systems manufactured by PMC in the US, widely recognized for setting global quality benchmarks in the industry. He noted that Recyloop had been in talks for a long time to secure this technology and that a unique opportunity emerged during PARTYCITY’s corporate restructuring.
With an annual turnover of $2.5 billion and operations in more than 150 countries, PARTYCITY is one of the world’s largest coffee and party product retailers. The company also produces its own paper cups, renowned for their superior printing and sealing quality. When the firm decided to divest its most advanced production lines, it received offers from multiple countries and companies. Ultimately, Türkiye was chosen due to Recyloop’s proven track record in sustainable packaging, its global know-how transfers, and trusted collaborations with leading international brands such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, and Caffè Nero.
Largest Capacity Expansion in Türkiye’s Paper Cup Industry
Under the agreement, seven specialized paper cup production lines have been transferred to Türkiye. Combined with Recyloop’s existing 20 lines, the company will now operate 27 production lines in total.
Eroğlu described this as the largest single-step capacity investment in Türkiye’s paper cup sector, enabling the company to scale up production significantly while maintaining world-class quality standards.
Five-Year Plan to Produce 5.5 Billion Cups Annually
The investment is valued at approximately €20 million, with an initial production capacity of 1 billion cups per year. Over the next five years, Recyloop aims to increase this to 5.5 billion cups annually. Once achieved, the company will produce more than 1% of the world’s total paper cup output on its own.
This expansion will also create 200 new jobs and allow Recyloop to serve not only the domestic market but also a wide international network, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.
Turning Türkiye into a Global Production Hub
Eroğlu stressed that this acquisition is far more than just a machinery transfer, calling it a strategic move to strengthen Türkiye’s manufacturing capabilities, expand its environmentally friendly packaging vision, and enhance its competitive presence in the global market.
He explained that the technology, which meets the production standards of one of the leading names in the global coffee and party sector, will be “reborn” in Türkiye, enabling the country to produce at the highest quality levels.
Biodegradable and Fully Recyclable Production Standards
With this investment, Recyloop will be able to produce biodegradable and fully recyclable paper cups with advanced inner lining technology. This is a major step forward in meeting the sustainability requirements of major global brands while also exceeding consumer expectations for eco-friendly packaging.
“Our goal,” said Eroğlu, “is to take paper cup quality beyond the current global standards. We are committed to a production model that respects the environment, prioritizes public health, and delivers unmatched performance.”
Broader Economic and Environmental Benefits
The investment offers multiple benefits for Türkiye:
Export Growth – High-quality, sustainable paper cups will be exported to multiple continents, boosting Türkiye’s foreign trade revenue.
Technology Transfer – The arrival of advanced US manufacturing systems will enhance domestic production efficiency and quality.
Green Industry Transformation – Low-carbon, energy-efficient production processes will accelerate Türkiye’s shift toward environmentally sustainable manufacturing.
This development positions Türkiye as not just a regional leader, but a key global player in the sustainable packaging industry.
