The Grangemouth facility has the potential to process around 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste per annum
Biffa has acquired GCP’s postconsumer plastics recycling facility in Scotland. (Credit: Maurice Angres from Pixabay)
UK-based waste management company Biffa has purchased a post-consumer plastics recycling facility from Green Circle Polymers (GCP) for £10m.
Situated in Grangemouth, GCP’s plant is said to be the only post-consumer plastics recycling facility in Scotland.
The Grangemouth facility has the potential to process around 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste per annum.
The facility will process mixed plastic bottles and plastic tubs and trays to convert them into the new recycled plastic material.
GCP CEO Tom Gleeson said: “This is an exciting move and I’d like to thank the loyal customers who have supported the business over the years.
“I know the management and staff will make a valuable contribution to the future of the business as part of the Biffa Group.”
The acquisition of GCP facility will enable Biffa to provide more recyclable plastic feedstock in line with its strategy and quadruple its plastic recycling capacity by 2030.
GCP facility is also having the potential to sort coloured plastic material and metal cans.
Biffa stated that the acquisition comes ahead of the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland in 2022.
The DRS will allow residents to easily recycle their used bottles and cans, including PET plastic, metal and glass.
Biffa chief executive Michael Topham said: “This acquisition builds on our leadership position in closed-loop recycling and strengthens Biffa’s capacity to process and recycle more plastic waste in Scotland.
“As a leading enabler of the circular economy in the UK, this investment helps us support Scotland’s vision of a greener future, as it prepares to introduce the Deposit Return Scheme to reduce littering and improve recycling levels.”
Last month, Biffa agreed to acquire collections business and the majority of recycling assets from Viridor for £126m.