Plans submitted for UK's first plastic-film recycling plant in Darlington
Hundreds of jobs could be created as part of plans to build the UK’s first large-scale plastic film recycling facility in Darlington.
Hundreds of jobs could be created as part of plans to build the UK’s first large-scale plastic film recycling facility in Darlington.
Endolys Ltd has pledged to invest up to £120 million in the region after taking over the former Cleveland Bridge site.
The chemical recycling company will create up to 120 jobs with the installation of pyrolysis oil production units at the Yarm Road facility – a 29-acre industrial site, which has been dormant since 2021.
Politicians have praised the move for putting the region at the “forefront of innovation in recycling and clean growth”.
Endolys said £60 million has already been secured for the first phase of the development, which will see six units process 60,000 tonnes of shredded plastic film waste into 40,000 tonnes of pyrolysis oil each year.
The second phase, costing a similar amount, would see a further 60,000 tonnes of film waste processed into a further 40,000 tonnes of oil. All of the film waste will be sourced from municipal waste facilities. Subject to planning and environmental approvals, phase one operations are expected to begin at the end of 2026.
Michael Fox, CEO of Endolys, said: “This is an exciting project that will not only create high quality jobs in the growing recycling industry, but will also provide a major boost the circular economy by diverting plastic waste including many single use items such as cups, straws and plastic bags away from incineration and landfill, converting them back into a useful product.
“The former Cleveland Bridge site is ideal for what we need, with an excellent building in which we can house our operations, superb road and rail links and existing grid and natural gas connections. Even more importantly, we have people in this area with the engineering and technical processing skills to meet our requirements.”
Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that can chemically break down plastic into its constituent oil and gas.
Plastic film is one of the most challenging plastic materials to recycle in the UK, with no current large-scale recycling facilities available and limited kerbside collection, Endolys said.
Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Economy, praised the firm’s plans to revive the site. He said: “This is a significant step forward for Darlington – economically, environmentally and socially. It marks a proud moment in the town’s journey toward a cleaner, greener future.”
The council said the construction of new buildings at the site will follow the standard planning process.
Endolys has also secured a commercial agreement with a global oil distribution and trading company to take the entire output from the plant, which will be exported into the European petrochemical market via storage at the Navigator Terminals facility at Seal Sands.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This landmark investment by Endolys is fantastic news for Darlington and will breathe new life into the iconic former Cleveland Bridge site.
“As well as creating scores of well-paid, good-quality, skilled jobs, it will also put our region at the forefront of innovation in recycling and clean growth.
“This is exactly the type of project that demonstrates how Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are leading the way in attracting cutting-edge industries, securing major long-term investment and building a stronger economy for local people.”
Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton West, which covers the Endolys site, said: “This is fantastic news for Teesside.
“It means more jobs and opportunities for local people, the arrival of world-leading technology in our region, and the regeneration of the former Cleveland Bridge site.”