With its processing capacity set to reach 20,000 tonnes per year in 2022, AER continues to grow and to strengthen its commitment to recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment. The company has once again been recognised with the European WEEELabex certification, a major distinction in the WEEE treatment sector.
Sustained growth since 2016
Since opening its first plant in July 2016, AER (Antilles Environnement Recyclage), a subsidiary of the Energipole Group, has continued to expand. In just five years, the company has recorded consistent growth in volumes:
- 6,000 tonnes collected and processed in 2016
- 9,600 tonnes in 2020
- and over 10,000 tonnes targeted as early as 2021, despite the pandemic’s severe impact on the region
This average annual increase of 800 tonnes demonstrates the strength of AER’s industrial model and the commitment of its teams to sustainable development and the local circular economy.
👉 Discover our recycling activities in the French West Indies
Strategic investments to support expansion
To sustain this growth, AER is making significant investments in new facilities and processing equipment. Two major projects are enhancing its capabilities:
New dismantling workshop for small household appliances (PAM)
Commissioned earlier this year, this 392 m² workshop is designed to optimise dismantling operations. Its height and configuration allow simultaneous reception of boxes, skips and containers. A team of ten specialised operatives now works in a clean, ergonomic environment tailored to their activities.
A second multi-stream plant for 2022
A new 1,600 m² unit dedicated to household WEEE will be operational in June 2022 at the AER site. It will include:
- secure storage for incoming collected materials
- a high-performance, ergonomic processing line for large household appliances and professional small appliances
- a dedicated area for refining metallic fractions (inductors, stainless steel) to improve material recovery
With these facilities, more than 60 employees will operate on site, further reinforcing AER’s recognised professionalism in the electronic recycling sector.
European recognition: WEEElabex certification renewed
AER’s excellence has again been recognised by partner Producer Responsibility Organisations ECOSYSTEM and ECOLOGIC, which have renewed their contracts for a further five years. This strong partnership underscores the confidence placed in AER, a key driver behind its investment strategy.
The company has also successfully renewed its European WEEELabex certification, ensuring full environmental and technical compliance with the most stringent European standards for WEEE treatment. First obtained in 2018, this label once again distinguishes AER for its professionalism and commitment to quality.
👉 Learn more about the WEEElabex certification
A long-term ambition for the French West Indies and the Caribbean
With a processing capacity set to reach 20,000 tonnes per year and a rapidly expanding team, AER continues to establish itself as a leading industrial player in the recycling sector across the French West Indies and the Caribbean. Its growth, based on innovation, quality and environmental responsibility, fully reflects the values of the Energipole Group, building a high-performance, resilient circular economy for the region.
