New Ownership and a Second Chance for Minnesota Film Recycling Facility

GDB Circular, a division of GDB International, is reopening a plastics recycling plant located in Rogers, Minnesota, under its new ownership. The plant was previously opened in December 2023 and operated in early 2024 by MyPlas before shutting down.

GDB International was established in 1993. Headquartered in New Jersey, the company operates mechanical plastic recycling facilities across Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida.

GDB Circular serves as the lead investor in the facility, with General Mills and Schwan’s Company, among others, also investing. These partnerships continue the shared commitment of this facility to pioneering a regional circular economy for flexible films, originally catalyzed by the MBOLD coalition, an initiative of the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Economic Development Partnership. Additionally, Myplas SA continues its support of the operations.

“We are thrilled to continue building on the original vision of creating a circular economy for flexibles and rigid polyolefins in the upper Midwest. Together with ongoing support from our dedicated partners, GDB Circular is committed to growing a world-class plastics recycling facility that delivers sustainable solutions for businesses and communities across the region,” says Raj Bagaria, managing director at GDB Circular.

A film recycling demonstration at K Show 2022. Source: Matt Stonecash.

“We are proud to support GDB Circular to help create a sustainable solution for plastic film recycling in the Midwest,” says Mary Jane Melendez, chief sustainability and global impact officer at General Mills.

New investments have been made to upgrade the facility and its operations, incorporating technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce adverse environmental impact.

“MBOLD welcomes GDB to the community as we continue to champion the creation of a circular economy for flexible film in the Upper Midwest,” says JoAnne Berkenkamp, managing director of MBOLD. “The continued commitment of all the major stakeholders is a testament to the strength of this vision.”

Other existing creditors include the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Closed Loop Partners.