In a statement shared on LinkedIn, the carpet recycling specialist said it is seeking donations to help cover its basic operating costs following the blaze, which broke out on the evening of Saturday 11 July.
Joe Eccleston, CEO at Innovate Recycle, commented: “The fire at our Northampton facility on 11 July was a devastating setback for Innovate Recycle, destroying around a third of our operating space and temporarily stopping our ability to restart operations.
“Most importantly, we are incredibly grateful that nobody was injured, and we want to thank Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift and professional response.
“While our core deconstruction process line remains intact, we now face a critical period as we work to rebuild, protect 26 local jobs, and continue our mission to create a true circular economy solution for end-of-life carpets.”
Innovate Recycle said it expects to be back in operation within two to three months after implementing a business continuity plan.
The business, which describes itself as the first company in the UK and Europe to recycle end-of-life and industrial offcut polypropylene-based carpet, said it had been close to reaching full profitability before the incident.
Eccleston added: “The support we’ve already received from our team, partners, customers and the local community has been humbling, and every contribution to the fundraising appeal helps us keep this important UK recycling innovation alive.”
People wishing to support the appeal can do so via the company’s crowdfunding page: Innovate Recycle GoFundMe appeal.
Northampton fire
Innovate Recycle said the fire broke out on the evening of 11 July 2026 at its Northampton facility and is believed to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery that had been accidentally discarded in a waste skip.
Several crews from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the company’s site on Lodge Farm Industrial Estate in Duston shortly before 8pm.
Firefighters used hose jets, aerial equipment and a drone to tackle the blaze, which involved a substantial quantity of mixed recycling materials and waste.
Witnesses reported loud popping noises, while a large smoke plume was visible for more than 15 miles.
The nearby A428 Harlestone Road was also closed to allow emergency services to work safely.
Innovate Recycle said the site was closed when the fire started and confirmed there were no injuries.
The company added that its processing equipment, forklifts, IT systems and laboratory equipment had “survived largely untouched”, crediting the swift response of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, effective fire risk management and favourable wind conditions.
It said: “This is incredibly lucky and whilst this is clearly a devastating setback, we are looking at a business continuity plan that leads us to being back and operational within two to three months.”
The incident comes amid continued concern over the growing number of waste and recycling fires linked to incorrectly discarded lithium-ion batteries.
Industry bodies have repeatedly warned that batteries hidden in mixed waste and recycling streams present one of the sector’s fastest-growing fire risks.
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