Strategic partnership targets plastic pollution in South and Southeast Asia, regions responsible for 70% of marine plastic waste

The Foundation Prince Albert II of Monaco (FPA2) has partnered with Circulate Capital, a leading investment firm in the circular economy, to scale solutions tackling plastic pollution in oceans across South and Southeast Asia.

This collaboration, announced at the Ocean Innovators platform in Hong Kong – an initiative led by FPA2 to promote sustainable blue economy solutions – represents an important step in mobilizing private capital to combat plastic pollution at its source.

The partnership will combine FPA2’s global environmental impact with Circulate Capital’s investment expertise in circular economy projects to accelerate financing for companies that prevent plastic leakage and build sustainable value chains in coastal regions.

“The fight against plastic pollution in the oceans is one of the Foundation’s most important priorities,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “Circuit Capital has demonstrated a compelling market-based approach to solving this crisis in the most affected areas. Our partnership represents an important step in scaling effective initiatives on the ground that protect marine ecosystems and support local livelihoods.”

South and Southeast Asia are responsible for approximately 70% of the plastic that enters the world’s oceans each year. However, according to the foundation, the region received only 10% of the US$190 billion invested globally in plastic circularity between 2018 and 2023.

Analysts estimate that improving recycling systems and managing poorly managed plastic waste across the region could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of closing 61 coal plants for a year. Meeting national recycling targets in six key markets could cut global emissions from end-of-life plastics by 10% by 2030.

“We’re not just getting a partner, we’re getting a champion,” said Rob Kaplan, founder and CEO of Circulate Capital. “With the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation on our side, we can unleash the networks, capital and collaboration needed to tackle plastic pollution head-on.”

Since its launch, Circulate Capital has invested in 23 companies across Asia and Latin America, funding projects that reduce plastic pollution while creating social and climate impact.

The company’s portfolio added 455,000 tons of annual recycling capacity, avoided 627,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and improved the livelihoods of more than 6,600 workers across the recycling value chain.

The new partnership aims to expand this scope further, directing more capital to local innovators tackling waste collection, recycling infrastructure, and alternative materials.

The alliance underscores a growing movement to align environmental philanthropy with market-driven investment strategies. By connecting impact investors with scalable solutions, FPA2 and Circulate Capital hope to redefine how we tackle plastic pollution – turning waste into opportunity and sustainability into growth.

“This partnership exemplifies how collaboration between foundations and private capital can achieve measurable and lasting change,” Winden said. “The ocean connects us all – and protecting it requires this kind of shared responsibility.”