Essity to begin production at UK paper recycling facility in Prudhoe

Essity has confirmed the startup timeline for its upgraded Prudhoe recycled paper mill in Prudhoe, Northumberland, with testing of recycled paper operations planned for early March and a formal opening on April 9.

The upgrade, a $36 million project that commenced in January 2023, replaces a former 50-year-old building and represents Essity’s largest investment across its six U.K. sites in the past decade.

The facility features an updated pulper designed to process a wider range of lower-grade materials, including old corrugated containers. Historically, Essity used sorted office paper and other high-grade feedstock, but supply constraints have driven a shift toward mixed paper and packaging grades.

The upgrade is expected to increase recovered paper processing capacity to more than 100,000 metric tons per year.

Prudhoe is Essity’s largest facility in the U.K., employing more than 400 people, and producing brands such as Velvet, Cushelle and Tork, in addition to private-label products for U.K. customers.

Essity stated that the investment reinforces its commitment to sustainability, circularity and innovation and enhances the capability and resilience of its U.K. operations.