Viridor’s landfill side was sold at the end of March 2022 to Frank Solutions Limited “in its entirety” (see letsrecycle.com story).
In a statement Viridor explained that Frank Solutions Ltd acts as the holding group of several companies working in disciplines ranging from landfill engineering and restoration, plant equipment, energy generation and land remediation projects.
Committed
Now in a statement through Viridor’s website, Valencia Waste Management has said that it is committed to growing the landfill gas business.
The full Valencia Waste statement is as follows: “We are delighted to confirm that Viridor Waste Management’s landfill and gas generation businesses have been brought into private ownership and are committed to growing the business.
“Valencia Waste Management has acquired the portfolio of 44 landfill sites along with Viridor’s landfill colleagues who will transfer across to the new business ensuring continuity of service to our customers and compliant management of the sites.
Valencia Waste Management is committed to becoming a strategic leader in the landfill and energy sector
“Our business is backed by private capital and a committed leadership team who will invest heavily across the portfolio to maximise landfill operations, deliver restoration commitments, and explore development opportunities to make best use of the land.
“We thank our customers, colleagues, and stakeholders for their patience whilst we communicate the change in ownership. Valencia Waste Management is committed to becoming a strategic leader in the landfill and energy sector and will continue to share our vision for the future in the coming weeks.”
Sites
Precise details of Valencia Waste Management’s landfills have not been released. Previously Viridor has spoken of having 27 closed sites which are in aftercare and having 10 operational sites with space to 2030 and beyond. Some 32 of these were energy generating sites.
Viridor has said that it had 86Mwe installed capacity of power generation from landfill gas spread over the 32 sites making it the second largest producer of renewable power generation from landfill gas in the UK, owning and operating “most of these gas fields and energy facilities in-house.” Around 50 Mwe is typically produced according to Viridor data.
Also, before the sale, Viridor explained that the portfolio is monitored and controlled by a state-of-the-art central control room in Ardley, Oxfordshire.
(above, a 2019 video about Viridor’s landfills)
History
In the wake of the sale to Frank Solutions Ltd, the Viridor waste management businesses are being renamed using Valencia Waste Management in their various titles. What is seen as the main business – Valencia Waste Management Ltd – is now the name for the business which started as CW Harrison Ltd when it was incorporated in 1956. In 1972 CW Harrison became Haul-Waste Ltd which was to become the “leading waste management company in the south west region”.
In 1999 Haul Waste became Viridor Waste Management which was growing into recycling and energy from waste on a national basis. It was owned by Pennon Group and was most recently owned by investment fund KKR which sold the landfill business to Frank Solutions.
Workforce
The workforce at the landfill division transferred to Valencia Waste which is run by director Patrick Hughes, 50. Since the transfer, Mark Dawber, general manager and head of Powergen within the landfill business at Viridor has become managing director (Powergen) at Valencia Waste.
On his LinkedIn profile, Mr Dawber notes an EBITDA for the Powergen business, when with Viridor, of around £25 million.
Name
The reason for the choice of the name “Valencia” for the new business has not yet been revealed. However it does mean that the company has similar initials to its former title.
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