The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) has announced a landmark partnership with Circulate Capital, a leading investment firm focused on the circular economy, to expand efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution across South and Southeast Asia.
The collaboration was unveiled at the Ocean Innovators Platform in Hong Kong — an FPA2-led initiative promoting sustainable blue economy solutions. The partnership aims to mobilise private capital to address plastic pollution at its source, combining FPA2’s global environmental advocacy with Circulate Capital’s experience in financing circular economy ventures.
“The fight against ocean plastic pollution is one of the Foundation’s highest priorities,” said Olivier Wenden, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “Circulate Capital has shown that market-based solutions can drive real change in the regions most affected. This partnership represents an important step towards scaling up initiatives that safeguard marine ecosystems and support local livelihoods.”
South and Southeast Asia are among the hardest-hit regions in the global plastic crisis, responsible for nearly 70% of plastic waste entering the oceans each year. Despite this, the region has received only 10% of the US$190 billion invested globally in plastic circularity between 2018 and 2023, according to FPA2.
Experts estimate that improving recycling infrastructure and managing mismanaged plastic waste in these regions could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to taking 61 coal plants offline for a year. Meeting national recycling targets across six major Asian markets could also cut global emissions from plastic waste by 10% by 2030.
Circulate Capital founder and CEO Rob Kaplan said the collaboration represents more than financial backing. “We aren’t just getting a partner; we’re getting a champion,” he said. “With the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation by our side, we can unlock the networks, capital, and collaboration needed to tackle plastic pollution head-on.”
Since its inception, Circulate Capital has invested in 23 companies across Asia and Latin America, supporting projects that reduce plastic pollution while delivering measurable social and environmental benefits. Its investments have added 455,000 tonnes of annual recycling capacity, prevented 627,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and improved the livelihoods of more than 6,600 workers in the recycling sector.
The new partnership seeks to extend this impact by directing more funding to local innovators developing waste collection systems, recycling infrastructure, and sustainable materials.
“The ocean connects us all — and protecting it demands shared responsibility,” Wenden said. “This partnership shows how foundations and private capital can work together to deliver measurable, lasting change.”
