Feature, Logistics, Rail, Sea

Waste Knot, want not on Teesside

[ August 17, 2020   //   Chris ]

Waste Knot Energy has secured funding from Gresham House’s British Strategic Investment Fund (BSIF) to build its first fuel pelleting plant at AV Dawson’s port facility in Teesside.

Construction is now underway on the plant, which will produce Waste Knot’s Green Knot branded pellets using non-recyclable waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill or processing abroad. The high-calorific pellets will be a low-emission bulk alternative to coal and pet-coke for energy-intensive industries – such as cement and steel.

AV Dawson’s Middlesbrough facility was selected to its quayside location on the south side of the River Tees, providing a strategic point to serve the UK and beyond. It will create over 20 full time jobs and is expected to manufacture over 240,000 tonnes of fuel pellets each year, which will be transported within the UK by rail or exported by ship. The plant is being developed on a brownfield site owned by AV Dawson.

AV Dawson managing director Gary Dawson, said: “We are completely redeveloping a whole area of our Middlesbrough site to provide a tailored solution for the customer that gives them a purpose-built facility with immediate access to the quayside, enabling the efficient production and export of pellets around the world.

“Once the processing facility is operational, we will be providing the ongoing logistics; loading vessels on a weekly basis to keep up with 24-hour production schedule.

“This project is an exciting step forward in the expansion of our port facilities on the River Tees.  It is part of our long-term plans to move into renewable and recyclable energy markets; supporting our diversification strategy and our environmental aspirations.  It also supports the region’s and the UK’s wider environmental challenges to create a circular economy; diverting waste from landfill whilst supporting the move away from fossil fuels.” 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “It is fantastic to see Teesside landing the first plant for this exciting new project. Across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool we are developing the technologies of the future and creating sustainable good quality well paid local jobs for local workers.”

BSIF fund manager and investment director, Ed Simpson described the scheme as “exactly the type of strategically important sustainable project BSIF is looking to facilitate, while generating attractive returns for investors.”