Supporting a Leading Strategy Consultancy with Roadmap Development for Plastic Recycling Optimization

Service Provided: Practical Expert Advisory — Recycling Value Chains, Operational Best Practices, Regulatory Compliance

The Opportunity

A top-tier strategy consulting firm was engaged by a private equity investor to develop a comprehensive roadmap for optimizing multiple plastic sorting and recycling facilities. The project aimed to ensure operational efficiency, value chain optimization, and strict compliance with evolving EU regulations for recycled plastics.

The consulting firm needed practical insights to complement their strategic approach — particularly regarding technical best practices, regulatory frameworks, operational configurations, and market dynamics — to avoid reinventing the wheel and deliver real-world, actionable recommendations.

Our Solution

Over a period of several weeks, we partnered with the consultancy team to provide hands-on, practical expertise drawn from extensive experience in the plastic sorting and recycling sector. Our role focused on ensuring the roadmap reflected not just strategic ambition but operational feasibility and regulatory alignment. Key areas of support included:

Best practices to accelerate roadmap development and avoid common pitfalls
Guidance on EU recycled plastic regulations and compliance pathways
Recommendations for optimal operational configuration and site-level interdependencies
Insights into value chain interconnectivity, from sorting to end-product markets
Development of go-to-market strategies aligned with product-market combinations
Evaluation of price elasticity dynamics across recycled plastics applications
Strategic considerations for operational automation and digitization opportunities

The Results

With our targeted advisory support, the consulting firm successfully delivered a comprehensive, actionable roadmap to the PE client. The roadmap:

Provided a clear, phased approach for optimizing multiple sites
Ensured full alignment with EU recycled plastics regulatory requirements
Incorporated proven industry best practices, saving significant time and effort
Identified opportunities for automation, digitization, and operational efficiencies
Positioned the PE firm to drive both financial performance and sustainability impact

Client Feedback

“Sustainability Professionals' practical expertise was invaluable. They helped us translate complex regulatory and operational challenges into clear, actionable recommendations — saving us time, reducing risk, and enhancing the overall quality of our deliverable.”