DEEP DIVE: ‘Six months in and GAP Alba is raring to go’

On a bright and sunny day in Perth, Scotland, the new GAP Group fridge recycling plant is going strong almost half a year since it was opened.

The site was opened by Scottish First Minister John Swinney on 28 May 2025 in a well-attended event which also saw the culmination of the #TourdeFridge. The marketing stunt saw a fridge cycled 180 miles from GAP Group Gateshead to GAP Alba.

That same fridge is now neatly tucked under the site’s plant, watching as its peers are recycled overhead.

The fridges are predominately brought in from Scottish local authorities and some commercial producers to be processed by GAP. First, their glass shelves and door seals are removed along with any magnetic components and contaminated items such as food waste.

The compressors then have the gas and oil extracted and captured before the copper-containing compressors are removed and sent for onwards recycling at the company’s Gateshead facility – other components such capacitors that may contain PCB’s and copper piping are also removed at this stage.

The carcass of the fridge is then shredded, and all ferrous, non-ferrous metals and plastics are separated out. The remaining polyurethane foam (PUR) has its blowing agent gas removed by steam to separate it from the foam. The gas is sent for incineration leaving only the PUR – one of the more unique components – to be further dealt with.

Finding a market for Polyurethane (PUR)

The PUR can be processed into two forms – either briquetted or pelletised. Briquetting is preferred and yields a heavier and more compact product. GAP aims to keep as much of the material in the UK as possible but is also exploring options for export to Europe.

The material can be used as a low-carbon fuel for cement kilns or in Energy from Waste (EfW), which will hopefully soon be possible at a new facility currently under construction on the same site.

The benefits of being on Binn EcoPark

GAP Alba is located in Binn EcoPark which also houses the Binn Group. This means that the separated glass travels a mere two minutes to be processed.

It’s also no more than five minutes up the road from an under-construction EfW facility being developed by Paprec. Although construction seems to be delayed, GAP hopes to send some of its stock here to reduce the emissions and cost associated with further onward transport.

Since the start of September 2025, the Alba facility is also officially 100% powered by green energy. GAP is clearly excited about the development, one that has been in the works since the site entered its commissioning phase six months ago.

Ending the commissioning phase

GAP admits that the commissioning phase has taken longer than initially hoped.

Many members of their team are from outside the waste sector and have required thorough training. The team has also encountered operational issues including motors not meeting specification requirements and difficulties securing a stable end market for PUR.

These snags look to be wrapping up however, and it seems likely that the plant will be fully operational next month.

On the ground, the mood at GAP Alba is one of excitement. While there is clear lingering sadness of Shore, the prospects of this new facility bring an enthusiasm and level of optimism from those who work there.

It will be exciting to see what the site achieves in the coming months as it wraps up its commissioning phase.