The new recycling facility at Prudhoe will replace Essity's Unifibres operation, which has processed recycled paper in the town for five decades.
Feb. 18, 2026 - Essity said that it will open its new GBP 30 million-plus state-of-the-art recycled paper facility at its Prudhoe tissue and towel mill site in Northumberland County, North East England, on April 9, 2026.
The new recycling facility will replace Essity's Unifibres operation, which has processed recycled paper in the town for five decades.
The integrated Prudhoe mill has the capacity to produce about 94,000 tons per year of tissue, including through-air dried (TAD) tissue. The mill employs around 400 people and produces Essity brands such as Velvet, Cushelle and Tork, and also makes private brand label products for UK customers such as Asda.
In a press release, Essity said, "As the UK's largest user of recycled fibre for consumer tissue and the number one user for tissue production in Europe, the new facility will expand Essity's capacity for recycled fibre to over 100,000 tonnes per year, further strengthening its leadership in sustainable tissue manufacturing.
"This major investment in British manufacturing reinforces Essity's long-term commitment to sustainability, circularity and innovation, while enhancing the capability and resilience of its UK operations," the company concluded.
Essity, with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, is a global leader in hygiene, health, and medical solutions, offering a diverse portfolio that ranges from personal care and professional hygiene to advanced medical products.
SOURCE: Essity