Veolias Former Deputy Chief Executive Paul Levett Joins Closed Loop Recycling

25 May 2011

Waste industry guru Paul Levett has joined Closed Loop Recycling as an advisor to the recycler amid expansion plans. Plans were also revealed for Levett to join the board as a non-executive director later in the year, coinciding with the construction of additional facilities adjacent to the existing plant at Dagenham

Closed Loop recently announced extensive expansion plans which will double the current input capacity of its Dagenham plant to at least 60,000 tonnes, whilst accommodating a wider range of different polymers.

Previously Paul was deputy chief executive at Veolia having moved across from waste management firm Cleanaway in 2006. Levett commented: "Closed Loop Recycling has been an innovator and leader in the development of the UK plastic recycling industry, which barely existed five years ago.

"The company was the first to close the loop on plastic recycling and take bottles out of waste bins and turn them back into bottles on the shelf, showing consumers that recycling is worth the effort. In addition the company has demonstrated the environmental benefits of plastic bottle recycling for the whole supply chain, from local authorities, to brand owners and retailers. Waste recycling companies recognise the benefits of having a UK-based reprocessor which avoids the need for the administration burden involved in exporting their materials.

"I look forward to helping the company to develop its expansion plans and have agreed to join the board later in the year to coincide with the development of Dagenham two."

Chris Dow, managing director of Closed Loop Recycling added: "Paul's appointment is a fantastic endorsement of the potential of the business and what our team and partners have already achieved. His unparalleled experience in the waste industry will help us to deliver on our expansion plans and to take advantage of the huge appetite the UK has for recycling."

Andrew Page, partner, Foresight Group added: "His [Paul's] appointment is great news not just for the company itself but it also sends out a strong message to the market about the future of the business and the plastic recycling industry as a whole."

Closed Loop Recycling's Dagenham plant has been operating since December 2008. Its current capacity allows the production of 35,000 tonnes of mixed plastic bottles, producing 11,000 tonnes of rPET and 6,000 tonnes of rHDPE per annum.

For more information vist www.closedlooprecycling.co.uk

Darrel Moore