Ahold Delhaize orders 600 Envipco reverse-vending machines for Romania

Deliveries to start in late 2026

Ahold Delhaize has ordered 600 reverse-vending machines from Envipco for its Profi and Mega Image retail networks in Romania, according to Economica.net. The contract covers machines from Envipco’s Optima and Flex ranges. Initial deliveries are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, and the full order is expected to be completed by early 2028.

The equipment will add collection capacity across two of Romania’s largest grocery networks. Profi operates approximately 1,700 stores nationwide and employs nearly 28,700 people, including more than 1,500 locations run by partners. Mega Image has more than 980 stores under the Mega Image and Shop&Go brands, supported by over 12,000 employees. The two chains give Ahold Delhaize a broad platform for installing automated collection points close to consumers.

Romanian factory supports the contract

Envipco manufactures the Flex and Optima models at its factory in Sebeș, Alba County. The company opened the plant in 2022 to meet demand generated by the introduction of Romania’s deposit-return system. Chief executive José Matthijsse said Envipco also has a local supply chain, a research and development facility, and commercial and operational teams in the country.

The local manufacturing base should allow Envipco to supply the contract without relying entirely on imported finished equipment. It also links the expansion of Romania’s collection network to domestic machinery production and employment. According to financial information cited by Economica.net from the Termene platform, Envipco’s Romanian company recorded turnover of €220.8 million in 2024, a reported decline of 12%. Profit fell by 53% to slightly more than 50 million lei. Average employment reached 153 people, 33 more than in the previous year.

Deposit system builds on 6,000-machine base

Romania’s deposit-return system, administered by RetuRO, began operating on 30 November 2023. Economica.net reports that 11.5 billion beverage containers have been collected for recycling since its launch. Matthijsse said the system exceeded its collection targets in 2025, reaching a collection rate of 83% from an installed base of more than 6,000 reverse-vending machines.

Reverse-vending machines accept PET bottles, metal cans and glass containers and issue vouchers or discounts to customers returning eligible packaging. The 600-unit order is equivalent to roughly 10% of the base of more than 6,000 machines cited by Envipco, although the final effect on national capacity will depend on retirements, competing installations and where Ahold Delhaize deploys the equipment. For retailers, additional machines can reduce queues and provide more redundancy at high-volume stores. For Envipco, the phased schedule through early 2028 offers a multi-quarter production pipeline for Sebeș while reinforcing its position in a national system that is already processing billions of containers.