Qualitech Environmental Services has launched a public consultation on proposals for the Tofts Road Energy Recovery Facility (TRERF), a major new hazardous waste treatment and energy recovery development planned for Hartlepool.

The proposed facility would represent an investment of approximately £65 million into the region and marks a significant step forward in strengthening the UK’s hazardous waste treatment infrastructure.

Located on land off Tofts Road West within the established industrial area of North Graythorp, the facility has been designed to provide much-needed domestic treatment capacity for hazardous waste currently being transported overseas for processing.

Meeting a Growing UK Need

The UK currently has very limited specialist hazardous waste treatment capacity. Existing facilities are ageing and frequently operating at maximum capacity, resulting in thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste being exported to mainland Europe every year for treatment.

The proposed Tofts Road facility would help address this shortfall by safely treating hazardous waste closer to where it is produced, reducing long-distance transport and associated carbon emissions while supporting domestic energy generation.

The facility would be capable of treating hazardous waste arising from sectors including:

• Manufacturing

• Pharmaceuticals

• Engineering

• Industrial cleaning

• Maintenance operations

The development would also be capable of treating PFAS materials, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, which require extremely high temperatures for destruction.

Energy Recovery and Sustainability

The proposed facility has been designed as an energy recovery operation.

Waste delivered to the site in sealed containers would be processed within a high-temperature incineration system operating between 1,100°C and 1,400°C. Heat generated during the process would then be used to produce steam, driving a turbine capable of generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 2,000 homes annually.

The recovered heat and steam could also potentially be supplied directly to nearby industrial users.

Importantly, the facility has also been designed to be carbon capture ready, allowing future connection to the planned Net Zero Teesside carbon capture and storage network.

Investment in Hartlepool

The project would deliver substantial economic benefits to the local area, including:

• £65m investment into Hartlepool

• 45 construction jobs during the three-year build phase

• 40 permanent skilled operational jobs once operational

• Apprenticeship and local training opportunities

• Long-term support for regional industrial infrastructure

Danny Casey, Managing Director of Qualitech Environmental Services Ltd, said:

“This facility would be one of the UK’s first hazardous waste treatment plants to recover energy from the process, generating electricity, heat and steam that can benefit Hartlepool and the surrounding area.
Treating this waste domestically rather than shipping it overseas would save thousands of tonnes of CO₂ every year and help provide domestic energy security.”

Environmental Regulation and Monitoring

The proposed facility would operate within one of the UK’s most tightly regulated industrial frameworks.

Before operation, the project would require both:

• Planning approval from Hartlepool Borough Council

• An Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency

As part of the planning process, detailed environmental assessments will be undertaken covering topics including:

• Air quality

• Noise

• Traffic

• Flood risk

• Ecology

• Landscape and visual impact

• Climate change

• Land contamination

Flue gases would pass through a multi-stage cleaning system before release, with emissions continuously monitored to ensure strict compliance with Environment Agency standards.

Public Consultation

Qualitech is encouraging local residents, businesses and stakeholders to learn more about the proposals and take part in the public consultation before a formal planning application is submitted later this year.

Members of the public can view the plans and speak directly with the project team during consultation events taking place in Hartlepool.

Further information, consultation materials and feedback details are available at:

www.toftsroadefw.co.uk