Arca Continental and Coca-Cola Mexico Strengthen Their Leadership in Recycling

• PetStar shareholders, members of The Coca-Cola System, are investing more than MXN 2.6 billion to expand the PetStar recycling plant. 

• The expansion increases recycled resin production capacity by 70% and strengthens the national collection infrastructure, consolidating Mexico’s leadership in circular economy.

Toluca, State of Mexico, November 26th, 2025 – As part of their commitment to sustainability and to strengthening Mexico’s leadership in circular economy, Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Mexico, and other Coca-Cola bottlers and shareholders of PetStar inaugurated the expansion of their food-grade PET recycling plant—the largest in Mexico and the world—located in Toluca, with an investment of MXN 2.6 billion.

During an event with the participation of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), led by Secretary Alicia Barcena, the inauguration brought PetStar’s total historical investment to MXN 5.1 billion, consolidating its position as a global benchmark in the recycling and circular economy of PET bottles.

Driven by this expansion, annual recycling capacity will rise from 50,000 to 86,000 tons of food-grade recycled resin. This increase is the result of processing more than 123,000 tons of PET annually—equivalent to 5.5 billion bottles—which will be reincorporated into the value chain of the Coca-Cola bottlers and PetStar shareholders: Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Mexico, Bepensa, Corporación del Fuerte, Grupo RICA, Grupo Embotellador Nayar, and Embotelladora de Colima.

During the ceremony, Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, highlighted the project's relevance for the country:

"PetStar is exemplary in many ways because it has successfully integrated a value chain that includes everyone—from urban waste pickers to those responsible for collection and aggregation. This complete and inclusive value chain is precisely what we aim to promote. A circular economy is possible. I want to congratulate and recognize the extraordinary work carried out alongside Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Mexico, Bepensa, Corporación del Fuerte, Grupo RICA, Grupo Embotellador Nayar, and Embotelladora de Colima—companies that are all part of Mexico’s Coca-Cola System. Your industry has set a benchmark and will continue to do so".

This investment will continue to generate direct economic and social impact by increasing the number of collection centers from 8 to 32. This growth supports 2,200 formal jobs and 49,000 indirect jobs for urban reclaimers and waste pickers, who are a key component of the inclusive circular economy model promoted by the company.

Jorge H. Santos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arca Continental, underscored:

"The expansion of PetStar is a significant demonstration of Mexico’s Coca-Cola System commitment to the circular economy of our packaging, to innovation, sustainable investment, and, above all, to the creation of shared value for thousands of families involved directly and indirectly in the collection and recycling of PET."

Likewise, Jaime Camara, CEO of PetStar, highlighted the historical significance of this achievement:

"30 years ago, we made a commitment to our planet: to do everything in our power to protect it. Together with Arca Continental and our shareholders, we have achieved more than we imagined, positioning Mexico as a leader in PET collection and recycling in the Americas. Today, we make history by expanding our food-grade PET recycling plant, the largest in the world. We don’t want any package to be left behind. Today, we demonstrate and reaffirm our shareholders’ strong commitment to building a more circular Mexico—one that benefits both the planet and Mexican families”.

Since 2020, PetStar has been a carbon-neutral company, operating with a human-rights perspective and a focus on the social mobility of urban waste pickers. Furthermore, in 2025, the company celebrated 30 years of positioning itself as a model and success story in the circular economy globally, boasting the highest recognition for safety in its recycled resin and social justice in PET recovery through its guiding sustainable business model.

The event was attended by local authorities, representatives from business chambers, academia, civil organizations, and over 400 guests who celebrated this new step toward a more sustainable and circular Mexico.

About Arca Continental

Arca Continental is a company dedicated to the production, distribution, and sale of beverages under brands owned by The Coca-Cola Company, as well as snacks under the Bokados brand in Mexico, Inalecsa in Ecuador, and Wise in the United States of America. With an outstanding track record of over 99 years, Arca Continental is the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler in Latin America and one of the most important in the world. Within its Coca-Cola franchise, the company serves a population of over 128 million across northern and western Mexico, as well as in Ecuador, Peru, northern Argentina, and the southwestern United States. Arca Continental is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol "AC".
For more information about Arca Continental, please visit www.arcacontal.com 

Press contact: saladeprensa@arcacontal.com 

About PetStar

PetStar S.A.P.I. de C.V. is a Mexican company established in 2006, part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry (IMCC), and a benchmark for excellence due to its unique business model in the world for the collection and recycling of PET containers to produce food-grade recycled resin in an inclusive manner. This approach fosters social mobility and the dignification of waste pickers and PET collectors, generating social, environmental, and economic value in the country. PetStar is led by Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Mexico, Bepensa Bebidas, Corporación del Fuerte, Corporación Rica, Grupo Embotellador Nayar, and Embotelladora de Colima, all of which reflect the IMCC’s commitment to sustainability. PetStar operates 8 collection plants, 1 recovery facility, and the largest food-grade PET recycling plant in the world.
For more information about PetStar, visit www.petstar.mx 

Ximena Martínez – PetStar: xmartinez@petstar.mx