Trafford to be site of £290m world-leading recycled paper mill

Elaine Brass

13th January 2010

Spanish paper and packaging group SAICA is to invest £290 million to build a world-leading recycled paper mill in Trafford, near Manchester, boosting the region's and the UK's position as a future low carbon economy.

The mill will be located on a 48-acre site at Partington Wharfside near Partington Village, so as to be close to North West, North East and Midlands conurbations from which much of its raw material will be drawn. SAICA, which is a family-owned Spanish company and international leader in recycled paper and packaging, plans to start construction of the paper mill over the coming months. It is expected to create over 200 new jobs.

The North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said it had been working with SAICA for over two years to ensure it built its mill in the region.

"It is a great start to 2010 with one of the world’s most advanced recycled paper mills being built here in the North West," said NWDA chief executive, Steven Broomhead.

Welcoming today's announcement, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said the investment showed great confidence in the UK's economic future and said it was important to the country's low carbon growth. "Both the scale and the nature of this investment make it a great win for both the North West and the UK, the number one destination for inward investment in Europe," he said. "It is a long-term commitment in environmental technology which will be central to the UK's growth strategy."

The investment brings SAICA’s committed and planned investment in the UK to over £470 million since 2007. Then the company acquired International Paper’s packaging business in the UK and Ireland.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Government’s international business development agency, worked closely with the NWDA and Trafford Council to help SAICA with all stages of the investment process. “By choosing to build Europe’s most advanced paper mill in Britain, SAICA recognises that the UK is the best place to establish a European operation," said UK Trade & Investment chief executive Sir Andrew Cahn. "This shows sustainable business is a strong part of the British economy.”

SAICA has plants across Europe and employs over 8,000 people.

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