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📍 Battlefield, Shropshire — July 10, 2025
Veolia has announced plans to build the UK’s first closed-loop PET recycling plant, investing £70 million in a state-of-the-art facility set to open in early 2026. Located in Battlefield near Shrewsbury, the site will process up to 80,000 tonnes of plastic annually, converting used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays and bottles into food-grade packaging—a capability not previously available in the UK due to stringent purity standards.
🏭 Facility Highlights
- First UK site to implement “tray-to-tray” closed-loop recycling
- Expected to create 130+ permanent local jobs
- Will reduce reliance on virgin plastics and cut carbon emissions by up to 70%
- Supports the UK’s net zero targets and Simpler Recycling legislation
🌍 Strategic Investment and Circular Economy Goals The project is part of Veolia’s broader £1 billion UK investment plan by 2030, aimed at advancing the circular economy. Other initiatives include:
- Expansion of district heating networks in Southwark
- New hazardous waste treatment capacity
- Innovative solutions for PFAS fire suppressant disposal
🗣️ Industry and Policy Context The announcement coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, underscoring Franco-British cooperation on sustainability. Veolia executives have called on the UK Government to strengthen policy incentives, including reforming the Plastic Packaging Tax, to support domestic recycling infrastructure amid economic headwinds.
For more details, see Circular Online and Packaging Gateway.
