Major jobs hope as Quantafuel unveils Port of Sunderland recycling factory plans

A plastics recycling firm has revealed plans it says could create and support hundreds of North East jobs.

Quantafuel hopes to build and operate a processing plant at the Port of Sunderland.

Bosses at the Norwegian company say the factory would create around 50 full-time jobs and support hundreds during the construction phase.

They say it would create “high-value products from low-value plastic waste” by processing more than 100,000 tonnes of discarded goods from across the north of England every year.

The business has submitted a preliminary planning application for the development, with officials adding they are in “advanced talks” with the port and Sunderland City Council over the proposal.

Terje Eiken, Quantafuel’s interim chief executive, said: “I’m pleased to announce our expansion into circular plastics in the UK.

“This is an important step because we see strong potential in the UK market.

 

The 12-acre site at Port of Sunderland that Quantafuel has earmarked for a new plastic recycling plant

 

“By upgrading used plastic waste into valuable products, we will contribute towards the circular economy and help to improve the UK’s plastic recycling rates.”

He revealed the firm hopes to make its Wearside factory the first of a number of bases across the UK.

He added: “We’ve identified an excellent site in Sunderland and are grateful for the positive welcome from the port and the city council.

“We look forward to pushing circular plastics in the UK.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council and chair of Port of Sunderland, said: “We are absolutely thrilled the port has been chosen as the preferred location for Quantafuel’s first UK operation.

“Sunderland is a city transforming, and investments like this, allied with other significant developments in the city centre, Washington and the Coalfields area, give an increasing confidence in the economic future of our city.”

Quantafuel has created the UK-based company Quantafuel Sunderland Limited to drive the endeavour, which is a joint venture between Quantafuel ASA and Midas Group AS.