What Kempenaars Recycling does

Kempenaars Recycling B.V. is a Netherlands-based waste recycling company founded in 1946 in Roosendaal, operating a 43,000 m2 business park at Borchwerf 20 that processes approximately 200,000 tonnes of wastepaper and 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. The company operates through a group structure comprising Kempenaars Recycling B.V. (paper and cardboard recycling), wholly-owned subsidiary Kempenaars Plastic Recycling B.V. (hard plastics and films), wholly-owned Kempenaars Polymers B.V. (regrind production), and SK Polymers B.V., a joint venture with Veolia (formerly SUEZ Netherlands) that runs a fully automated mixed-hard-plastics sorting line. Core processing infrastructure includes a fully automated paper sorting line upgraded with infrared scanners in 2023 (described as one of few such lines in the Netherlands) and a fully automated plastic separation system at SK Polymers producing PE, PP, PO, and PS regrind.

The company generates revenue through transaction-based fees (collection, container rental, transport) combined with material sales of secondary raw materials to industrial customers including paper mills and plastic manufacturers. Pricing for paper is transparently linked to independent monthly reference prices published as Marktberichten Oud Papier, while plastic regrind pricing reflects industrial commodity benchmarks. Customer segments include municipalities and semi-government bodies (via Nedvang recognition), packaging and manufacturing, wholesale and logistics, with active outreach into e-commerce, AGF (agriculture/horticulture), and ICT products. The go-to-market is sales-led and consultative: the Kempenaars team conducts on-site visits to analyse customer waste streams and develop customised plans, supported by an online Waste Scan tool for digital lead qualification.

In January 2025, CellMark Recycling Division acquired 100% of the shares in Kempenaars Group, with third-generation Managing Director Eric Kempenaars continuing in his role. The business holds a dense stack of Dutch and European certifications — ER/OPK (paper sector, audited by Kiwa), VIHB (waste transport/collection), Nedvang, NRK Recycling, CO2 Performance Ladder Level 3 (awarded March 2024), Cinergie green electricity certificate, and PRN affiliation — and is an active member/initiator in the Circular Plastics Alliance. End markets span the Netherlands and broader Europe, with sorted raw materials also exported to paper mills domestically and abroad, plus Asian buyers in India and Southeast Asia.

Name

Kempenaars Recycling

Legal name

Kempenaars Recycling B.V.

Website

https://kempenaars.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kempenaars Recycling B.V. is a Netherlands-based recycler (founded 1946) that processes approximately 230,000 tonnes of wastepaper and plastic annually into secondary raw materials, serving municipalities, manufacturers, and wholesale customers via automated sorting infrastructure; acquired by CellMark in January 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Recycling Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Collection (56211)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rigid Plastics Recycling (HDPE/PP, Injection/Blow Molded) (EUAIAKAF), Film & Flexible Plastics Recycling (LDPE/LLDPE, Multilayer) (EUAIAKAE), Recycled Resin Trading & Distribution (PCR/PIR Commodity Markets) (EUAIAKAK)

Keywords

• Paper recycling services
• Plastic recycling services
• Waste management solutions
• Secondary raw materials
• Mixed hard plastics processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Roosendaal

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Paper and Cardboard Recycling Services: Kempenaars collects, sorts and processes paper and cardboard waste streams. Revenue is generated through a combination of service fees (transport, container rental) and material sales (sorted paper/cardboard to paper mills). Pricing is transparently linked to independent monthly market prices ('Marktberichten Oud Papier'). Customers may also receive revenue for their waste streams depending on market conditions.
2. Plastic and Film Recycling Services: Kempenaars Plastic Recycling B.V. collects, sorts and markets hard plastics and films from corporate streams. Revenue comes from processing fees and the sale of sorted plastic materials. Services include container provision, internal logistics equipment, and tailored collection solutions.
3. SK Polymers - Mixed Hard Plastics Processing: Joint venture SK Polymers B.V. processes mixed hard plastics from environmental centres into sorted plastic streams (PE, PP, PO, PS regrind) sold to industrial customers in packaging, construction, electronics, and automotive sectors.
4. Regrind (Maalgoed) Sales: Kempenaars Polymers B.V. converts sorted plastic streams into regrind, sold as secondary raw material to customers who may use it directly or require extrusion. Revenue from sale of ground, washed, and/or dried plastic regrind.
5. Total Solution / Custom Waste Management: Kempenaars offers end-to-end waste management solutions including collection, processing, and management of complex waste streams. For waste streams not directly processable, the company coordinates with specialized partners. Revenue combines service fees with material sales outcomes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kempenaars Recycling B.V. collects, sorts, and processes paper, cardboard, hard plastics, and films from commercial and household waste streams into high-quality secondary raw materials. Operating across Kempenaars Recycling B.V., Kempenaars Plastic Recycling B.V., Kempenaars Polymers B.V., and the SK Polymers B.V. joint venture with Veolia, the company handles approximately 200,000 tonnes of wastepaper and 30,000 tonnes of plastic annually at its 43,000 m2 Roosendaal facility.

Product overview

Kempenaars Group operates as a recycling company with a portfolio of specialized brands and joint ventures. The core offerings include paper and cardboard recycling services utilizing infrared sorting technology, plastic film processing through Kempenaars Plastic Recycling B.V., mixed hard plastics processing via the SK Polymers B.V. joint venture with Veolia, and regrind (maalgoed) production. The company also provides a complete solution service for customized waste management and offers a waste scan tool for customer assessment. The group processes approximately 200,000 metric tons of wastepaper and 30,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually, serving sectors including municipalities, wholesale, packaging industry, ICT, and e-commerce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Paper and Cardboard Recycling Collection, sorting and processing of commercial and household paper and cardboard waste streams using state-of-the-art infrared scanner sorting technology. Output is sold to paper mills as high-quality secondary raw material. Pricing is transparently linked to independent monthly market prices (Marktberichten Oud Papier).
• Plastic and Film Recycling Processing and marketing of hard plastics and films (packaging film, big bags, strapping) from corporate streams through subsidiary Kempenaars Plastic Recycling B.V. Services include container provision, internal logistics equipment and tailored collection solutions.
• SK Polymers Mixed Hard Plastics Processing Joint venture with Veolia that operates a fully automated sorting line separating mixed hard plastics into sorted plastic streams (PE, PP, PO, PS) for sale to industrial customers in packaging, construction, electronics, and automotive sectors.
• Regrind (Maalgoed) Production

Quantifiable outcome

• Processed approximately 200,000 tonnes of wastepaper and 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste in the year prior to January 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SK Polymers B.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017SK Polymers B.V. is a joint venture between Veolia (formerly SUEZ Netherlands) and Kempenaars Recycling B.V., established in February 2017. The partnership operates a fully automated sorting line for mixed hard plastics at the Kempenaars facility, processing consumer-derived hard plastics (crates, toys, etc.) into sorted PE, PP, PO and PS regrind for the plastics manufacturing industry. The collaboration leverages combined expertise in large-scale sorting of hard plastics to close the chain for a circular economy.
• Circular Plastics AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKempenaars Recycling B.V. is a member of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), which aims to promote the circular economy for plastics. Goals include encouraging 100% recyclable plastic product design, reducing unnecessary plastic use by at least 40%, improving collection/sorting/recycling capacity, and achieving at least 30% recycled plastic in new packaging. Kempenaars contributes through monthly membership fees and active knowledge sharing, positioning itself as an initiator in the sector.
• BMN GroepflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMN Groep collaborates with Kempenaars Recycling B.V. as fellow members of the Circular Plastics Alliance. Kempenaars provides recycling services for BMN Groep's foil and cardboard streams, together making a significant step in closing the chain for plastic materials. The partnership reduces waste, promotes material reuse, and diminishes the need for new material, contributing to CPA objectives.
• Green Recycling Collective (CKP-project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA circular collaboration project of four entrepreneurs for pre-sorting materials and shredding them into regrind to create (de)mountable products (modular benches, planters) that promote well-being, sustainability and greening of public outdoor spaces. Regional collaboration between Saver NV (Roosendaal), Kempenaars Group (Roosendaal), Plast(i)ek (Breda), and Zoontjens Boomprojecten (Roosendaal). Aims to reuse 250 tonnes of plastic per year with equivalent saving of 650 tonnes CO2.
• SUREbusiness / HübenerminorOthersKempenaars collaborated with SUREbusiness (broker) and German insurer Hübener to secure business continuity insurance despite the higher fire risk in the recycling sector. The solution was found through investment in advanced safety equipment including sprinkler installations and thermal cameras.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Environnement: Veolia is the global environmental services major and Kempenaars' JV partner in SK Polymers B.V. It also operates competing recycling infrastructure across the Netherlands and Europe, making it both a partner and a competitive reference point.
• Suez Recycling and Recovery Netherlands: Suez (now merged with Veolia) was Kempenaars' original JV partner in SK Polymers (2017) and continues to operate recycling infrastructure in the Netherlands. Comparable as a broad incumbent recycling and recovery operator.
• Prezero: Prezero is the international environmental services and recycling division of the Schwarz Group (German retailer) operating across Europe including the Netherlands. It competes with Kempenaars in commercial and municipal recycling collection while also providing broader waste management services.
• Indaver: Indaver is a Belgian-headquartered waste management and recycling company with Dutch operations, active in hazardous and non-hazardous waste processing. Comparable as a broader environmental services peer with industrial recycling exposure.

Regional players

• AVR (Afvalverwerking Rijnmond): AVR is a Dutch waste processing company operating incineration and recycling facilities primarily in the Rijnmond region. Comparable as a domestic Dutch waste processor competing for municipal and commercial volumes.
• Van Vliet Groep: Van Vliet Groep is a Dutch waste processor and recycler active in paper, cardboard and plastics collection across the Southwestern Netherlands. Comparable geographically as a regional paper and plastics recycler overlapping with Kempenaars' core catchment area.

Direct peers

• Milieu Service Nederland: Milieu Service Nederland is a Dutch mid-sized waste collection and recycling company serving commercial and municipal customers across the Netherlands. Comparable as a similarly-sized regional MRF/collector competing in the same Dutch customer segments.
• Renewi: Renewi is a UK/Dutch-listed waste and recycling company operating MRFs across the Netherlands and Belgium with multi-stream paper, plastic and commercial waste capabilities. It is Kempenaars' most direct competitor in the Dutch paper and commercial recycling market.

Others

• Groenewout: Groenewout is a Dutch logistics and supply-chain consultancy active in the recycling and waste management sector. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant advising similar recycling operators on infrastructure, capacity and operational strategy.
• CellMark Recycling Division: CellMark is the Swedish-based parent that acquired Kempenaars in January 2025 and operates an international recycling trading and processing platform. Comparable as the new parent organization with portfolio companies providing peer benchmarks for cross-border recycled commodity trading.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kempenaarsrecycling7869
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kempenaars-recycling-b.v.

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kempenaars Recycling