Chemical recycling company Endolys has announced plans to develop a £120m plastic film processing facility in the North East.
The firm said it would install pyrolysis oil production units at the former Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company works in Darlington.
The first phase of the project, for which £60m has been secured, will see six units set up to process 60,000 tonnes of shredded plastic film waste into 40,000 tonnes of pyrolysis oil each year.
A second phase, costing a similar amount, would double capacity.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “This landmark investment by Endolys is fantastic news for Darlington and will breathe new life into the iconic former Cleveland Bridge site.
“It will put our region at the forefront of innovation in recycling and clean growth.
Output from the plant will be exported into the European petrochemical market via storage at the Navigator Terminals facility at Seal Sands.
Michael Fox, chief executive of Endolys, said: “This is an exciting project that will not only create high quality jobs in the growing recycling industry, but provide a major boost the circular economy by diverting plastic waste including many single-use items such as cups, straws and plastic bags away from incineration and landfill.”
