OWNERS of a North-East recycling firm have invested £1m in an environmentally-sustainable "urban quarry".

The Scott Bros., based on Teesside, will use a state-of-the-art wash plant that takes waste material and converts it into high-quality sand and aggregate for use in the construction industry.

It is capable of processing between 50 and 70 tonnes of waste per hour to produce both coarse and fine sand, together with three grades of aggregate.

The recycled products are designed to be cost-effective and reduce the amount of environmental damage involved in the quarrying and production of primary materials.

Currently, some 20 per cent of the wash plant’s output – a clay-based substance produced during the filtration process – cannot be recycled.

However, Scott Bros. is working in conjunction with academics at Teesside University’s School of Science, Engineering and Design, to find a practical use for the residue. One possible use is that the material could be incorporated into the brick manufacturing process.

The materials processed by the wash plant, situated at the company’s site at Norton Bottoms, next to the A19 flyover, is largely made up of construction and excavation waste.

The wash plant was designed, supplied and installed by family-run firm Parnaby Cyclones, based near Ferryhill, County Durham. It supplies equipment to mining, quarrying, recycling and mineral industries across the globe.

Peter Scott, transport manager at Scott Bros., said: “We have created what is in reality an urban quarry which is producing in-demand products for the construction industry by recycling waste soil excavations.

“Scott Bros. has made a significant investment because we believe this sustainable alternative will form a major part of our future business. We have already received a great deal of interest since the wash plant was commissioned.

“It’s also particularly pleasing to have been supported in this project by another North-East family firm, Parnaby Cyclones, as well as benefitting from the considerable academic expertise made available by Teesside University.

The research is part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), designed to boost business innovation with academic support.

Dr Paul Sargent, lecturer in civil engineering at Teesside University, said: “A key strand of research at Teesside University is dedicated to addressing the challenge of the depletion or degradation of natural resources.

“This KTP has the potential to make an impact on how we recycle our waste and help create a more sustainable environment."