Plastic waste management facility set to advice

Plans to construct a waste management facility in Sunderland, which would produce synthetic hydrocarbons from plastics and create more than 100 jobs, have been tipped for approval.Norwegian listed company Quantafuel ASA is behind the proposal, which is earmarked for a 12.8-acre site at East Shore Enterprise Zone within the Port of Sunderland.Quantafuel converts end-of-use plastics into new raw materials such as new plastics and low-carbon fuel.The business aims to reduce the negative environmental impact associated with plastic waste.The proposed development, which would recover saleable products from waste plastics, is designed to process about 105,000 tonnes of plastic per year, and would produce about 60,000 tonnes of hydrocarbons.Once operational, the scheme would generate approximately 120 full-time jobs alongside indirect roles through drivers, engineering and maintenance and cleaning and catering.Car parking would also be provided with 60 spaces, six of which would be suitable for blue badge holders, with ten including EV charging points.The application will go before Sunderland Planning and Highways Committee on 6 February with the recommendation for approval.