Large-scale site moves are set to be key factors in the growth of two North East companies.

Sterling Polymers Ltd have purchased the former Wards Fibre Plant on Windermere Road, Hartlepool which already has a state-of-the-art paper recycling plant, and are currently going through the planning application process with Hartlepool Borough Council for the development of the site.

They plan to invest £25 million – creating around 100 new local roles – to develop the site so that it also processes post-consumer and post-industrial flexible plastics.

The plant will be capable of processing 13 tonnes per hour, with a range of optical sorting, metal detection, screening, wash plant and then finally extrusion into a granule that can be used in manufacturing processes.

Councilor Shane Moore, the Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I recently had the chance to visit the Sterling Polymers site and learn more about their exciting plans for Hartlepool.

“This will be the UK’s first flexible packaging and re-processing plant of this type and I’m really looking forward to seeing facilities on the site expand over the coming years.”

Tim Croxford, Operations and Compliance Director at Sterling Polymers Ltd, said: “Our management team has over 30 years’ experience within the industry and this level of investment highlights our commitment to sustainability and also to the local area.

“We’ve been working with the Council’s Economic Growth Team and look forward to further developing this relationship.”

And in South Tyneside, an innovative marine engineering company has relocated to a larger premises to meet growing demand for its services, following the acquisition of another company.

Established in 2015, Tyne and Wear Marine Limited offers a complete marine service, from safety boats, commercial vessels and custom fabrication and installation to full commercial diving services. The manufacturer rapidly deploys its kit and vessels in the UK and beyond.

Due to significant growth over the last seven years, Tyne and Wear Marine has recently relocated to the Manufacturing Zone at Jarrow Business Centre, a bespoke space created for businesses to thrive in the manufacturing sector, amongst a burgeoning offshore cluster.

As the business expands, the new base will allow the business to operate faster and more efficiently, ideally located by the port of the River Tyne.

As part of ambitious growth plans, Tyne and Wear Marine recently acquired the services of Bollard Load Test Ltd to further expand its range of load testing capabilities – meaning it can now offer load testing of mooring bollards in ports worldwide.

Russell Herron, Managing Director of Tyne and Wear Marine Limited, said: “Our move to the Manufacturing Zone has come at the perfect time as we continue to expand our services with the latest acquisition of Bollard Load Test.

“In a job like this no two days are the same and we could be called on a project anywhere in the UK at any time, so it’s vital that we can act fast and efficiently, and our new base will allow us to do just that. As we expand our offering we’re hoping to recruit over the next 12 months and we’re perfectly located for local suppliers, which is an added bonus.

“We want to say special thanks to the Business Investment Team at South Tyneside Council who have enabled a smooth transition into our new base, supporting us with any queries and problems along the way.”

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054