Cheshire’s Green Economy Gets a Boost with £58M Plastics Recycling Facility
£1M Grant Approval Paves the Way for 80 New Jobs and £4.5M Annual Economic Injection
Cheshire’s ambitions for a greener, more sustainable future have taken a major leap forward as local leaders approve a vital funding boost for a cutting-edge plastics recycling facility in Ellesmere Port. The project, led by specialist PET recycler Enviroo and backed by Reichmuth Infrastructure, is set to create 80 full-time jobs, inject £4.5 million per year into the local economy, and enhance the region’s Net Zero efforts.
The £1 million grant, approved by the Enterprise Cheshire + Warrington Joint Committee, will support the construction of Enviroo’s £58 million recycling plant at Peel NRE’s Protos Plastic Park. The state-of-the-art facility will process up to 35,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, transforming used PET plastic—commonly found in food and drink packaging—into high-quality polymers for new food packaging products.
The initiative aligns with EU and UK government recycling targets, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable, food-grade recycled plastics. As part of Cheshire’s Net Zero Industrial Cluster plan, the project contributes to a £30 billion clean energy investment pipeline aimed at removing over 40 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Driving Jobs, Sustainability, and Innovation
Beyond the 80 direct jobs, the facility will support an additional 19 indirect roles in the supply chain and 83 construction-phase jobs. Cheshire East Council Leader Cllr Nick Mannion hailed the project’s dual benefits of job creation and environmental progress:
“This facility is a crucial step towards our goal of becoming the UK’s most sustainable and inclusive economy. We’re proud to support a project that delivers both economic growth and Net Zero progress.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council Leader Cllr Louise Gittins echoed the sentiment:
“This is a fantastic development for Ellesmere Port, bringing significant environmental and economic benefits to our region.”
A Key Milestone in the UK’s Circular Economy
Enviroo CEO Ahmed Detta expressed excitement about the project’s approval:
“This grant enables us to develop and operate a world-class plastics recycling facility at Protos Park. We are committed to playing a key role in helping the region meet its Net Zero targets.”
Richard Barker, Development Director at Peel NRE, emphasized the facility’s role in tackling the UK’s plastic waste crisis:
“Enviroo’s arrival at Protos is a milestone in our vision for ‘Plastic Parks’—a revolutionary approach to plastic waste management. With an estimated £7.5 billion needed in infrastructure investment over the next decade, this project is a crucial step forward.”
The funding approval follows recent legislation for a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drink containers, set to launch in October 2027, further reinforcing the shift toward sustainable plastic management.
With construction set to begin soon, Cheshire is positioning itself at the forefront of green innovation, circular economy solutions, and job creation, driving a more sustainable future for the UK.
