Source One Plastics is gradually resuming operations at its sorting and recycling plant in Eicklingen after a fire that occurred at the end of January 2026. On Wednesday, 8 July 2026, the flake sorter section of the dry mechanical sorting and recycling installation was restarted for the first time. The company said that in the future the rebuilt plant will process hard-to-recycle plastic waste even more efficiently than before the incident. Around six months after the fire in part of the recycling hall, the flake sorters are once again sorting 3D regrind by colour and material purity. Renovation work on the building has also been completed. Partial resumption of operations in the upstream sorting and processing area is planned for September, while the company expects to reach full operational capacity by November 2026. The total cost of the reconstruction amounts to around EUR 20 million.
The technical parameters of the rebuilt sorting and recycling installation correspond to the original version of the plant, which had only been commissioned in February 2024. At the same time, Source One Plastics used the restoration work to optimise material handling, install a new control system and further develop the facility's automation and digitalisation. According to the company, this is expected to translate into better quality, higher output and even lower emissions.
Reconstruction and organisational changes
Kai Hoyer, former managing director of Source One Plastics GmbH and founder and managing director of 23 Oaks Investments GmbH, stressed that the reconstruction work was carried out continuously. "As we maintained five-shift operation throughout, we were able to work on rebuilding the plant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," he said. He added that partners involved in the first construction phase are also providing support. "Our partner companies from the first construction phase are also supporting us. They are still very familiar with the conditions on site. That helps us work quickly."
Hoyer also highlighted the commitment of the Source One Plastics team. "My life's work went up in flames before my very eyes," he said. "It was a challenge for me to find the focus and motivation to rebuild it all again after such a short time. Yet every single one of my colleagues and partners showed tireless dedication and worked with extraordinary commitment to ensure that high-quality raw materials are once again flowing through our plant. We fought for this together for six months. The moment the plant processed material again for the first time touched me deeply. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible from the bottom of my heart. We are coming back stronger, more modern and with improved performance."
Since 1 July 2026, Dr Oliver Krahn has been the sole managing director of Source One Plastics GmbH. A mechanical engineer with a PhD and fifteen years of industry experience, he took over as plant manager at Source One Plastics in January 2025. According to the company, his appointment to the management board is intended as recognition by the shareholders of his commitment to the company's development. Kai Hoyer will support Dr Oliver Krahn in an advisory role.
