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The creator of Neverwaste™ low-carbon construction panels has finalised a deal to restart operations at the former Sundeala Ltd production site in Cam, Gloucestershire, bringing dozens of new jobs to the region.
The announcement was praised by Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher, who described it as “a wonderful opportunity for the rebirth of an old mill” and a chance to continue production on a site that had been active for more than 250 years before Sundeala’s collapse two years ago. Administrators Grant Thornton completed the sale to property investors on behalf of Unwasted, the owner of Neverwaste.
Unwasted has invested millions into pioneering and patenting its process that transforms waste cellulose into premium construction panels. These can be used in applications such as flooring, kitchens, doors, and furniture. The process avoids virgin timber, glues, and toxic chemicals, while allowing panels to be recycled into new products multiple times.
Dr Opher added: “Unwasted’s proposal to transform the old pinboard plant at Cam is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring world class green manufacturing to the area and in the process create 70 new jobs.”
As part of its plans, Unwasted will relocate its research and development centre from Deeside, north Wales, to Cam, focusing on advancing waste fibre technology. Apprenticeships and community learning programmes will also be introduced to promote skills in upcycling.
The £20 million investment in the facility will give it the capacity to produce 10,000 cubic metres of panels annually, supplying both UK and north west European manufacturers and distributors.
Unwasted founder and CEO Rod Fountain said: “It is wonderful to be able to upcycle an old mill as our first commercial production plant and to re-energise old equipment to make a state-of-the-art product fit for the net zero world we urgently need to create.”
He added that the company had already secured the funding and identified sites for larger “regenerators” across Europe once Cam is running. “We plan to use our new base in Gloucestershire to seed a rapid expansion of our production capacity to serve a market that is desperate for green sustainable alternatives.”
Neverwaste™ is also featured in today’s launch of the UK Green Building Council’s innovation map, showcasing leading solutions in sustainable construction. The initiative, supported by UKGBC, @Breakthrough Energy and @FORE Partnership, aims to accelerate the uptake of innovative materials to help decarbonise the nation’s commercial building stock. Explore the map here: https://ukgbc.org/resources/commercial-retrofit-innovation-map/