Envirofuel set for expansion

A start-up business that recycles household waste and turns it into fuel to minimise landfill is expanding its operations following a funding boost.

Envirofuel (SRF) Limited has received a £250,000 loan from Lancashire Rosebud Finance. The fund is managed by Enterprise Ventures, part of Mercia Technologies PLC, on behalf of Lancashire County Developments Limited (LCDL).

The company plans to produce high-quality Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) from a newly established 19-acre site at the former colliery in Hapton Valley, near Burnley.

Envirofuel is eyeing significant growth over the next two years, expecting to double its workforce by creating over 30 new jobs in the area.

The business was founded by managing director Paul Mellor and operations director Jim Entwisle, who have long-term plans to further develop the site and expand the team.

Paul Mellor, managing director of Envirofuel, said: “We are looking to become the fuel of the future by recycling household waste into Solid Refined Fuel which reduces landfill and creates an alternative fuel for heavy industry which currently rely on coal.

"With the help of Rosebud and our own personal investment, we will be able to grow faster as a business. We have opened the site in Burnley which has already created stable jobs with more to come as the business continues to grow.”

Peter Rooney, investment manager at Enterprise Ventures, said: “We are looking forward to seeing Envirofuel grow its operations in Lancashire and we are pleased that Rosebud is able to continue supporting such a diverse range of businesses, particularly in the area of sustainable environment. “In East Lancashire alone, approximately 60,000 tonnes per annum of waste is going to landfill every year, so it is vitally important that this amount is reduced.”