Opening of first UK Knowaste plant

Despite industry concerns over life cycle analysis (LCA) credibility in the separation of nonwovens, SAP and other raw  materials, the first of a planned five Knowaste hygienic disposables recycling plants has been officially opened in the UK.

The plant at West Bromwich in the West Midlands will process a range of personal hygiene products and recover raw materials which can be used to make plastic components such as roof tiles and commercial tubes.

“This first site in West Bromwich represents the beginning of a £25 million overall investment in the UK over the next four years,” Knowaste’s CEO Roy Browne told Sky News. “It will produce capacity for handling about a fifth of the absorbent hygiene products waste stream – equating to a saving of 110,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.”

The plan is that commercial waste operators will deliver to the site from hospitals, nursing facilities and child care nurseries but the domestic market will also be targeted as the process of turning the plastic elements of sanitary waste into building products continues to be developed.

The West Bromwich plant will be able to recycle approximately 36,000 tonnes of absorbent hygiene products, including diapers,  bedliners and incontinence aids.
Knowaste has a partner company, Belgium-based NRC, which produces plastic roof tiles and much of the recycled diaper is sent there for re-use.