First phase of work on recycling plant complete
22 Apr 2024
A sneak preview's been given of progress on the UK’s most advanced wastepaper recycling plant currently under construction in Prudhoe.
The Unifibres operation, on the town’s Princess Way, supplies recycled paper pulp to the adjacent Essity tissue mill, and the Swedish parent company’s other sites in the North West. Here it is made into leading brands such as Cushelle, Plenty, Velvet and Tork.
Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson, councillor for Prudhoe South Gordon Stewart and Hexham MP Guy Opperman visited the site to mark the end of building work and learn about a series of further investments planned.
During the visit, Coun Sanderson said: “Investing millions of pounds in the site is not just a great thing to do for Prudhoe but for the whole of Northumberland. There’s a great team, doing great work and a fantastic product – I’m just so pleased they are employing so many people and creating real household names that are made here in Prudhoe.”
The largest financial investment at Prudhoe Mill since the installation of its second paper machine in the early 1980s, the work will see the total demolition of the existing 50-year old Unifibres complex.
Four replacement buildings, towards the centre of the site and less visible from the main road, have now been completed – with the installation of new machinery and the transfer of some existing production equipment taking place over the next 18 months.
An Essity spokesman said: “The importance of this multi-million-pound investment cannot be over-stated. It reduces our dependence on virgin pulp, will enable us to recycle lower-grade paper and board, enhances our ability to segregate plastic and metal contaminants, reduces waste sent to landfill and improves energy efficiency.
“Our old Unifibres facility was at the end of its working life – and this scale of investment helps secure the future of the mill, helps us to continue meeting demand for our products such as Cushelle, Velvet and Tork and, importantly, provides a more attractive and safer working environment for our 420+ employees.”