Redcar recycling project set to “change the way we live” prepares for launch

A “landmark” recycling project, which has been run from the Wilton Centre in Redcar for more than four years, is now just a few months from launch.

Early next year the world’s first commercial-scale plant will use a specially-developed process, HydroPRS, to start recycling plastics which up until now have been unrecyclable.

The plant, designed by Wilton Centre based ReNew ELP, will return yoghurt pots, plastic films and trays to the chemicals and oils from which they were made. They will then be turned back into new plastic products which will eventually come back for the process to be repeated.

There is no limit to the number of times each item can be used, recycled and reused. Contracts are in place to both supply the plant with waste plastic and to take away the re-created raw materials. Residue from the process will also be blended with bitumen and used in road building and repairs.

As the opening of the plant in nearby Wilton International approaches, ReNew ELP has more than doubled its space at the Wilton Centre and extended its lease. The company, which employs 20 people, has also announced that the Stockton based px Group will operate and maintain the plant and is starting to recruit the 30 staff who will be required.

ReNew ELP’s technical manager Steve Garbutt commented: “The world is watching Wilton. This technology has the potential to have a huge impact and as such it’s a pretty fantastic opportunity to be involved with.”

Claire Morton, The Wilton Centre’s leasing and finance manager, noted that Renew ELP was not the only occupier “leading the world” in its field: “We have life science companies who made a major contribution to the response to Covid and are now working with pharmaceutical companies in the fight against some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

“We also have an increasing number of businesses involved in the Teesside Net Zero project, which is also going to change the way we live.”

Around eight million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans every year. Millions more are burnt or incinerated. ReNew will initially process 20,000 tonnes a year. That should soon increase to 80,000 as it increases its capacity at Wilton International. Further plants are likely to follow once the Teesside operation is shown to be a success.

There are more than 60 companies based at The Wilton Centre. It was bought last year by the Pioneer Group which has a further nine science parks in its portfolio. Nearly 6,500 people work at the parks.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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