Global hygiene and tissue manufacturer Essity announced that its recycled paper facility in Prudhoe, Northumberland, UK, is now officially operational. The facility started up in March and held an opening ceremony on April 9, marking another significant step for Essity in the UK's paper recycling sector.

Essity initiated a $36 million upgrade project in January 2023, its largest investment in the UK across six sites in nearly a decade. This investment aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Prudhoe plant to address market changes and raw material supply challenges.

The upgrade involved demolishing a 50-year-old building and installing new pulping equipment. The new machinery can process more low-grade materials, such as old corrugated cardboard. While Essity has traditionally relied on higher-grade feedstocks like sorted office paper, supply issues in recent years have prompted a gradual shift towards mixed paper and packaging-grade materials to diversify its raw material sources.

This upgrade is expected to significantly increase Essity's recycled paper processing capacity to over 100,000 metric tons annually. The company stated in its announcement: "This substantial investment in UK manufacturing reinforces Essity's long-term commitment to sustainability, circularity, and innovation, while strengthening the capability and resilience of its UK operations."

The Prudhoe plant is Essity's largest facility in the UK, employing over 400 people. It produces branded products including Velvet, Cushelle, and Tork, and provides own-label manufacturing services for UK customers. The operational launch of Essity's Prudhoe recycled paper facility not only boosts recycling capacity but also demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to environmental protection and the circular economy.