Newsprint manufacturer Aylesford Newsprint’s board has given the go-ahead for the company to prepare plans for the construction of a new paper machine, PM15.

The last time Aylesford installed a new machine – PM14 in 1995 – the spend came to around £250m.

Aylesford Newsprint chief executive Alan McKendrick confirmed the firm’s shareholders had agreed to review the prospects of a new machine, but was quick to add that no firm decisions had yet been made.

McKendrick said: “Ayles-ford Newsprint was asked by its shareholders about the prospects of building PM15... as part of the shareholders’ normal review.”

Aylesford reviewed the possibility of a new machine about three years ago, but McKendrick said it wasn’t right at the time. “We will be dusting off the plans that were made back then to have another look,” he said.

He added that no timescale had been set yet and said it was likely the move would increase the firm’s capacity.
Currently, Aylesford News-print has two machines, PM14 and PM13. PM13 is now more than 50 years old, although it has been upgraded during its lifetime.

Aylesford Newsprint currently produces around 400,000 tonnes of newsprint every year, of which PM14 produces 300,000 tonnes, and uses 500,000 tonnes of recovered paper during production. Newsprint at Aylesford is made from 100% recycled paper.

The news comes weeks after newcomer Ecco Newsprint won planning approval for a £325m plant in Middlesbrough.

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UK NEWSPRINT CAPACITY
Abitibi Consolidated, Bridgewater 220,000 tonnes
Aylesford Newsprint, Aylesford 400,000 tonnes
UPM Kymmene, Shotton paper mill 500,000 tonnes
Ecco, Middlesbrough potentially 300,000 tonnes