 An artist’s impression of the proposed Quantafuel Sunderland plant |
Quantafuel’s first plant in the UK is planned for Sunderland, in north east England, which, subject to planning approval, could be up and running in a few years. Quantafuel transforms plastic waste into sustainable products that are in high demand and contributes to solving the global plastic waste problem.
Other additional sites are also being considered by Quantafuel UK Ltd, which will lead to job-creation both during the construction and operation of the facilities.
A circular economy
“I’m pleased to announce Quantafuel’s plans to enter into circular plastics in the UK,” said Quantafuel’s interim CEO Terje Eiken.
“This is an important step because we see strong potential in the UK market. By upgrading used plastic waste into valuable products, we will contribute towards the circular economy and help improve the UK’s plastic recycling rates.”
A frontrunner in the industry, Quantafuel recycles plastic waste by breaking it down chemically to produce oil that can be used in the production of virgin-grade recycled plastic.
Quantafuel UK’s plants will process mixed post-consumer plastics that are currently not recycled, such as soft food packaging and a variety of domestic and industrial plastics. Today this plastic is often sent to landfill or incinerated in energy-from-waste plants.
First UK site planned for Sunderland
Quantafuel already has two plastic recycling plants; one in Skive, Denmark and one in Kristiansund, Norway. Now the Port of Sunderland is identified as its first location in the UK. Quantafuel has submitted a preliminary planning application this week and is currently in dialogue with the Port of Sunderland and Sunderland City Council.
The company has chosen a prime 12-acre (approximately 50,000 m2) site on the eastern edge of the port due to its close proximity to shipping berths, transport links, and presence of local skilled workforce.
The plant will be designed to process more than 100,000 tonnes of plastic per year and should create hundreds of jobs during construction and provide business for local suppliers. It will also create around 50 jobs once operational. Plastic waste from across the north of England will be processed at the facility.
