Mandelson hails go-ahead for £290m paper plant
CONSTRUCTION on a delayed £290m waste paper processing plant in the North West will begin in the next month.
Planning permission for the development in Partington was granted last year by Trafford Council, but construction was delayed by the recession.
More than 200 jobs will be created at the 48-acre Wharfeside site when the new plant opens in 2012
The move to go ahead with the proect, led by Spansish company Saica was welcomed by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
He said: “Both the scale and the nature of this investment make it a great win for both the North West and the UK, the number one destination for inward investment in Europe.
“This shows great confidence in our economic future and has all the right ingredients. It is a long-term commitment in environmental technology which will be central to the UK’s growth strategy. I congratulate the company and wish them every success.”
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the government’s international business development agency, worked closely with the North West Development Agency and Trafford Council to help SAICA with all stages of the investment process.
When fully operational approximately 400,000 tonnes a year of 100% recycled paper will be produced at Partington Mill, from recovered paper, to be used in the manufacture of recycled corrugated boxes.
The new paper mill will help to divert the export of some 450,000 tonnes a year of used paper by recycling it within the UK.
Eduardo Aragües, president of the Saica said: “I am delighted that we are able to announce the board’s decision to press ahead with the construction of the recycled paper mill at Partington.
“This huge investment is the best message Saica can send to its UK customers, to whom we are fully devoted.”
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA said: “We have been working with and supporting Saica for over two years and I am delighted that this work has resulted in a major investment in Trafford.
“It is a great start to 2010 with one of the world’s most advanced recycled paper mills being built here in the North West, creating over 200 jobs.”
