The Group

Founded in 1994 in the town of La Courneuve, on the outskirts of Paris, this family business began when its founder, Jean-Luc Petithuguenin, acquired an SME with 40 employees specialising in paper and cardboard recycling. This marked the first step towards what is now Paprec Group, the leading recycling company in France and one of the three major players in waste management and green energy production. Paprec has successfully transformed an almost artisanal activity into an industrial venture that now employs more than 16,000 people and has achieved a turnover of €3.5 billion.

Since its creation, the group has grown at an unprecedented pace, with a growth rate approaching 30% per year, increasing from processing 70,000 tonnes annually to 16 million in 2024. In terms of workforce and turnover, the growth has also been remarkable, rising from €3 million in revenue and 45 employees to €3.5 billion in turnover with 16,000 employees 30 years later.

Present throughout the entire waste recovery cycle, the group is recognised for the quality of the raw materials it produces, thanks to substantial investments that have now exceeded €2.5 billion.

In 2018, Paprec added a new activity: green energy production. Gradually, we have expanded our offering to become a leading player in waste recovery. We are one of the few companies capable of providing the design, construction and operation of energy recovery facilities.

As proof of our commitment to excellence, we have already taken the first steps in organic recovery and returning waste to the soil through high-quality compost. We have been awarded the Sustainable Development Award presented by the European Commission.