UK Wood Recycling (UKWR) in Middlesbrough, claimed to be the country’s biggest purpose-built wood recycling plant to date, was opened by Lord Truscott, parliamentary under secretary of state for energy.
The £8m new facility will supply Wilton International’s wood-fuelled power station, Wilton 10, and has been built on the edge of the latter’s site.
According to UKWR manag-ing director Geoff Hadfield, the company will process 100,000 tonnes of wood co-product a year, sourced from construction and demolition sites, haulage, logistics, distribution and furniture sectors and local authorities.
The operation will initially employ 17 people, rising to 40 in two years.
“UKWR is a major step forward for renewable energy in terms of using wood waste to generate electricity,” said Mr Hadfield. “This is a first for us, but we hope there will be more such schemes around the country.”
At the opening Lord Truscott said: “This scheme is essential as part of our overall ability to tackle global warming. This is an excellent example of what this country should be doing.”
UKWR will supply around 40% of Wilton 10’s fuel, the rest coming from forestry, sawmills and short-rotation coppice timber. The power plant will be operational this summer.
The new recycling business is a sister company to Hadfield Wood Recyclers of Manchester and, in addition to wood chip fuel, will make animal bedding and “other recycled product”.
