The competition was designed to increase the recycling of used newspapers and magazines and saw Aylesford puts its proposal for construction of a new 250 million recycled newsprint machine to WRAP – the Waste and Resources Action Programme. Aylesford was then selected as the preferred option by a panel of experts, but in a surprise move it was then dropped by WRAP in favour of Shotton Paper. This was because Aylesford had written to WRAP to request more flexibility in the timetable due to developments on the continent and in the marketplace for newsprint and what it saw as delays by WRAP in reaching a decision.
This week Aylesford emphasised that it would still take all the tonnage available from the 160 local authorities from which it buys material.
“While we are disappointed at WRAP’s decision, the Aylesford recycling team remains committed to helping local authorities and others achieve their recycling targets and committed to taking all the tonnage generated by local authorities who sign contracts with us. We look forward to continued and successful relationships with these groups,” said recycling manager Chris White.
And, he added: “We believe, both for environmental and technical reasons, that the Aylesford site remains the right location for further investment.”
Aylesford company secretary Donald Charlesworth said that the decision by Aylesford to request timetable changes came in part of the light of developments on the continent which saw two recycled newsprint machines announced and also because of the difficulties Aylesford had faced with a volatile waste paper market when building its large Paper Machine 14.
Options
Asked whether the company would consider other options for development, Mr Charlesworth said: “The company is looking at its future and clearly we need to build a future. I am not ruling anything out.”
Currently Aylesford also runs PM13 which produces up to 90,000 tonnes of the 400,000 tonnes of recycled newsprint generated at the mill each year. The option of expanding PM13 is thought to have been considered and the new machine, PM15, remains on the drawing board. These potential developments are one of the reasons that the company is keen to ensure that local authorities continue to supply material to the mill on a regular basis.
WRAP confirmed today that it is still in negotations with Shotton Paper and with the European Commission which has to clear its 20 million grant under competition law. A spokesman said: “Negotiations are proceeding well and we hope to make an announcement shortly.”
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