Knowaste, which launched the first recycling facility in the UK for absorbent hygiene products (AHP) in 2011, is looking at Luton as a possible location for a new larger site.
The new facility, which would recycle products such as nappies, forms part of the company’s strategy to develop a number of sites in the UK
Knowaste is focusing its attention on a location between Oxford, Luton and London, which is capable of handling more than 36,000 tonnes of waste and has access to sustainable heat, power and water sources. It is estimated that one million tonnes of AHP waste is generated in the UK every year.
A growing number of local authorities and hygiene companies are now separating AHP as disposal costs continue to rise and they seek to meet waste reduction, elimination and recycling targets.
Knowaste has recycled more than 77 million nappies since it opened its first plant in the West Midlands two years ago.
Paul Richardson, Business Development Director at Knowaste, said: “The location of the new facility is critical and Luton is one place we are looking at”.
The site will include new recycling technologies, which will make the processes for sterilisation, screening and materials separation more efficient.
It will also comprise new components including washing, separation and drying processes, as well as a plastic pelletiser, which will enable Knowaste to access the high potential and quality markets that it has identified for recycled outputs.
Last year, Knowaste closed its initial site in the West Midlands. Although the site allowed Knowaste to prove and further develop its pioneering technology, it did not provide adequate capacity to maximise the market opportunities that the company has identified for the materials it generates from the recycling process.
Please contact paul.richardson@knowaste.com for further information.