Silafrica Kenya’s CEO Muthu Ravi on Driving Circular Manufacturing and Green Energy Adoption in Africa

In this section of the interview, Muthu Ravi, Country CEO of Silafrica Kenya, discusses the company’s significant progress toward its goal of becoming a regional leader in circular manufacturing and sustainable packaging. Since 2022, Silafrica has fully embedded circular economy principles into its operations, ensuring that 100% of its product portfolio is recyclable and expanding recycling partnerships across Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. The company operates through both open-loop systems, where post-consumer plastics are sourced and reprocessed into new industrial and agricultural products, and closed-loop systems, working directly with major clients such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Heineken, AB InBev, and Diageo to recycle and reuse post-industrial plastic waste.

He also highlights Silafrica’s commitment to renewable energy adoption, reporting that 12% of total energy consumption now comes from solar installations at the Nairobi plant, with a goal of reaching 25% by 2030. New energy-efficient injection moulding machines have further reduced energy use by 40%, reinforcing the company’s sustainability credentials.

Finally, Muthu Ravi explains that over 31% of Silafrica’s rigid and flexible packaging now incorporates post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, achieved through partnerships with certified recyclers to maintain traceability and ISO compliance. This shift toward recycled content has positioned Silafrica at the forefront of circular packaging innovation in Africa, setting a strong foundation for greener, more efficient manufacturing across the continent.