UPM Opens New MRF at Shotton Mill in U.K.

Jussi Pesonen, CEO of UPM, Finland, and the ambassador of Finland to the U.K., this week officially opened the £17 million Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at UPM's Shotton paper mill in the U.K. The state-of-the-art facility, supported by a £1.7 million investment by the Welsh Government, has the capacity to sort 270,000 metric tpy of comingled material and has been designed to achieve the highest recovery rates in the U.K. of 99%. In addition to a unique design, the facility has the latest sorting and screening equipment in the market.

The UPM MRF will output high quality materials for further reprocessing off site. Some 120,000 metric tons of high quality paper will be recovered for papermaking at the North Wales site.

Speaking at the inauguration of the facility, Pesonen said that "the MRF clearly demonstrates how integrated manufacturing can work. We are working hard to maximize reuse and minimize waste. The UPM Shotton site is a clear example of our Biofore vision and strategy in action." Currently, 90% of UPM's production waste is reused or recycled.

Pekka Huhtaniemi, Finnish Ambassador to the U.K., said that "UPM has created a fantastic facility here on their Shotton site. Not only is the technology impressive but also the motivated workforce. In addition to their renewable energy power plant, UPM Shotton is a good example of Cleantech thinking."

The facility was opened in front of 180 key suppliers and partners at a short opening ceremony. It is capable of sorting six types of plastic as well as metals, paper, and glass. The building is rated BREEAM excellent using abundant levels of natural light and recycled water.

At full operation, the facility will employ 160 people in addition to the 405 staff working for UPM Shotton site which produces 100% recycled fiber newsprint. UPM is the largest manufacturer of 100% recycled newsprint in the UK, recycling 640,000metric tpy.

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