The MRF, which is currently entering the final construction phase, will have an operating capacity of up to 270,000 tonnes of comingled materials per year once it starts up in January 2011.
The agreement with Rochford District Council will provide UPM Shotton's MRF with around 9,000 tonnes of comingled material including glass from 15 November 2010. This material will eventually be backhauled with newsprint.
Mr Craig Robinson, Head of Recovered Paper Sourcing UK & Ireland said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to work with Rochford. As an award winning council they have demonstrated continuous high standards which meet the requirements for our state-of-the-art facility."
He commented: "The MRF is a central part of UPM Shotton's vision to be the frontrunner in creating value from renewable and recyclable materials. The investment supports UPM's Biofore strategy."
Councillor Mike Steptoe, Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, added: "Following an extremely competitive tender process UPM clearly demonstrated their understanding of our recycling needs. Their commitment to sustainable recycling solution matches our own vision. I am really pleased we will be working with UPM and hope that the recycling scheme will be improved further by the increase in the different types of materials that we are now able to recycle.
It is good news for residents, the environment and also for the Council funds, as we have been able to save money by introducing this new contract”.
Rochford won the most improved authority in 2009 for recycling and in 2010 will be one of the leading recycling councils in the country.
UPM claims to be the world's largest recycler of recovered graphic papers, consuming more than three million tonnes per year. UPM Shotton, the UK's largest 100 per cent recycled newsprint paper mill and recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government as an exemplar of sustainable manufacturing, announced the £17 million investment to build the MRF in January 2010.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, UPM Shotton has received a total inward investment of over £500 million including a £56 million renewable energy power plant which started up in 2006. UPM Shotton currently processes 640,000 tonnes of newspapers, periodicals and magazines equating to approximately a third of all UK households.
