News: Another fire at Rotherham recycling site

A recycling site at Kilnhurst in Rotherham has suffered another fire - an annual event for the past three years.

Firefighters were called to the scene at Moulding Solutions Ltd and Universal Recycling on Wharf Road at just after 9:30am on Sunday morning.

Six fire crews were at a warehouse fire using hose reels to tackle the blaze which was put out a few hours later. The multi agency response included police, The Environment Agency and utilities attending.

Following an investigation into the cause of the fire, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) concluded yesterday that it was accidental due to a battery catching fire.

Advertisement

The site is shared by Moulding Solutions Ltd, a major recycler servicing general industry, recycling end of life, scrap and redundant plastics, and The London Wiper Company Ltd which trades as Universal Recycling and specialises in recycling metals.

Reccomended reading: How Industrial Fires Affect Business Sustainability in Rotherham

In June 2018 12 fire engines and 60 firefighters tackled a large fire at the site. In May 8 2017 another fire destroyed part of the Universal Recycling's stock but Moulding Solutions Ltd was unaffected. An investigation indicated that the fire started accidentally due to machinery.

SYFR website

Images: Google

Read more...

News: Large fire at Rotherham recycling site

12 fire engines and 60 firefighters tackled a large fire at a recycling centre in Kilnhurst, Rotherham yesterday, just over a year after a previous fire on the site.

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 4:30pm on Sunday to Moulding Solutions Ltd and Universal Recycling on Wharf Road where plumes of thick smoke could be seen for miles around.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) called on specialist vehicles including detection and monitoring equipment, a high volume pump and a turntable ladder.

Fire officers urged people to avoid the area and for local residents, officers advised them to keep all windows and doors shut due to the smoke within the area.

Wharf Road was closed wit a cordon put in place while firefighters dealt with the blaze. The site is close to relatively new housing developments by Gleeson and Gladedale (now Avant Homes).

The fire service took to social media to keep people up to date on the incident stating that they expected residents would be able to travel as usual today. Two fire engines remained this morning, largely damping down the fire.

Advertisement

SYFR confirmed that no-one was injured in the incident and said in a statement: "Officers would like to thank the local community for their understanding and patience while work is underway to deal with incident and ensure everyone's safety."

Moulding Solutions Ltd is a major recycler servicing general industry, recycling end of life, scrap and redundant plastics.

Investing in new shredders and granulators, the firm can process four tonnes per hour, taking in scrap and redundant stock from manufacturers and selling on polymers and compounds.

Moulding Solutions shares the Kilnhurst site with The London Wiper Company Ltd, trading as Universal Recycling.

Universal Recycling expanded in 2014 as it looked to grow. However, prices and market forces in the recycling have hit turnover which dropped by £10m between 2015 and 2016.

The company has targeted the WEEE recycling market, investing in a facility to recover various metal components from electric and electronic waste.

A fire at the premises on May 8 2017 destroyed part of the company's stock but Moulding Solutions Ltd was unaffected. An investigation indicated that the fire started accidentally due to machinery.

Moulding Solutions Ltd website
Universal Recycling website
SYFR website

Images: SYFR

Read more...

News: Universal Recycling expansion plans backed by Barclays

Universal Recycling has announced expansion plans at its Rotherham site and is targeting a turnover of £50m, backed by funding from Barclays.

Specialists in scrap metal recycling, WEEE recycling and cable recycling, the firm has purchased a 7.25-acre site adjacent to its current site on Wharf Road, Kilnhurst. This is thought to be the previous home of pallet racking firm, Redirack before it entered administration at the start of the year.

The family run business has been operating for over 30 years and also operates a site in Lancashire. It works with metal merchants, local authorities and cable and white good manufacturers. It has continued to invest in machinery and is currently the UK's largest cable recycler. Dedicated machines are used to strip, shred and separate cabling in order to produce granulated products such as copper granules and equestrian surfacing.

John Hughes, managing director at Universal Recycling, said: "Our current site is literally bursting at the seams and so we've been delighted to secure the funding to purchase the adjacent 7.25 acre site to expand our operations. The new premises will enable us to increase production whilst streamlining operational efficiencies and we hope to create new jobs as our plans develop."

Matthew Chenery, relationship director at Barclays, added: "John and his team are longstanding customers and it's great that we've been able to support their growth plans which will create much needed jobs in the area. Universal Recycling is a well-run family business prospering in the current climate and investing for the future, taking advantage of the general economic upturn."

Universal Recycling currently employs 52 staff and a further 52 agency staff. It has previously attempted to secure planning permission to allow the Kilnhurst site to operate 24 hours a day.

Turnover this year is expected to be over £50m.

Universal Recycling website

Images: Universal Recycling

Read more...