In this member spotlight, we talk to Paul Wilton, the
founder/director of Plastoil Ltd.
Plastoil is the Asia-Pacific distributor for Enespa, a German-engineered advanced chemical depolymerisation technology designed to process soft plastics. Our solution is fully turnkey, enabling a complete circular recycling model. The resulting polymer oil is refined by ExxonMobil, and the resin is then processed by Amcor into new, food-grade packaging.
Why did you want to join WasteMINZ?
Plastoil wanted to join WasteMINZ to connect with industry leaders and stay informed about innovative solutions in waste minimisation, resource recovery, and circular economy practices. As someone actively working on advanced plastic recycling technologies, WasteMINZ offers a valuable platform for collaboration, learning, and contributing to a more sustainable future for New Zealand.
What topic/issue are you most passionate about when it comes to waste, resource recovery or contaminated land?
Plastoil is passionate about advancing circular solutions for hard-to-recycle plastics through innovative technologies like chemical recycling. These materials are often landfilled or exported, creating environmental and ethical concerns. By transforming them into valuable resources locally, we reduce landfill dependency, cut carbon emissions, and close the loop on plastic waste. I believe scalable, technology-led recovery systems — paired with strong industry partnerships — can reshape how we manage waste and resource recovery for a more sustainable future.
What are you reading or listening to right now?
I'm currently listening to the podcast The Circular Economy Show by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which explores how businesses and innovators are designing out waste and pollution. I'm also reading The Waste-Free World by Ron Gonen—it offers insight into how circular economy practices can drive both environmental and financial success. Both resources are inspiring and deeply relevant to my interest in sustainable innovation and advanced recycling technologies.
Describe your perfect day outside of work
My main interest is classic cars, having recently restored a 1964 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda. I am now on the search for a Series 3 Jaguar E Type roadster. My daily driver is a Porsche 911 Cabriolet.