Citing the economic downturn as a reason for the delay, the company has announced it is going to manufacture roofing tiles in the UK out of plastic waste from manufacturing processes and later switch to using material from the nappy plant. To make the tiles, Knowaste has launched a roofing venture called Small Planet Building Products but will outsource the manufacturing process to Mailbox Mouldings of Stalybride, Cheshire.
The nappy recycling facility which is set to supply the recycled plastics is not yet in the construction stage despite predictions that it would be operational by the end of 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Funding
Planning permission to build the facility at Tyseley, near Birmingham, was granted in February this year and the plant should have been well underway by now but a spokeswoman explained that the company was still “in the process of finalising funding”.
Despite construction being delayed the spokeswoman said: “We hope to start running test stock through in Feb of 2010 and have it fully operational March 2010. This is the most challenging time to be out looking for funding and that has caused the delays.”
The facility is now expected to be operational by June next year.
She added: “It's no secret that we are operating in a challenging global economic climate. However, the funding process is now very near to the point of completion and we hope to make a formal announcement before the end of the year with regards to a timescale for work beginning in Tyseley.”
The plant is set to process and sanitise nappies and adult incontinence products, resulting in two outputs: plastic and cellulose organic residue for green energy. The plastic will be recreated into a variety of products, including plastic cladding, decking and roof tiles.
Manufacturing process
Until the plant is built and operational Small Planet Building Products will take recycled plastics from a variety of other sources, such as plastic waste which is used in the manufacturing process. The facility will process polypropylene-co-polymer.
Small Planet roofing materials will be manufactured by Mailbox Mouldings in Stalybridge, Cheshire. The tiles are said to be suitable for a wide range of buildings and purposes including non traditional and traditional housing.
Despite the delays to the Tyseley facility and the current economic difficulties Knowaste remains positive about developing a network of nappy recycling facilities in the UK. The spokeswoman added: “Knowaste remains committed to investing £20 million in the UK marketplace in-line with our business plan. As a small company, we are focussing our attention and resources on the UK due to the conducive market conditions.”
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