Unwasted, the company behind Neverwaste™ low-carbon construction panels, has agreed a deal to recommission the former Sundeala Ltd factory in Cam, Gloucestershire, creating significant new employment opportunities.
The move was welcomed by local MP Dr Simon Opher, who hailed it as “a wonderful opportunity for the rebirth of an old mill” and a continuation of operations at a site with over 250 years of history before Sundeala ceased trading two years ago. Grant Thornton, acting as administrator, oversaw the sale to property investors on Unwasted’s behalf.
Unwasted has channelled millions into developing its patented process for upcycling waste cellulose into durable construction panels. These can be used across furniture, kitchens, doors, and flooring, all within a circular production model. Crucially, no virgin timber, glues, or harmful chemicals are needed, and the panels can be remanufactured repeatedly at the end of their lifecycle.
Dr Opher said: “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.”
The company is also moving its R&D base from Deeside, north Wales, to Cam, where it will further explore waste fibre innovation. Plans include apprenticeships and educational programmes to engage the community in sustainable manufacturing practices.
With £20 million invested, the refurbished plant will produce 10,000 cubic metres of Neverwaste™ panels per year, destined for customers in both the UK and north west Europe once fully operational.
Rod Fountain, CEO and founder of Unwasted, 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 also confirmed the company’s ambitions for Europe: “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.”
In addition, Neverwaste™ is featured in the UK Green Building Council’s newly launched innovation map, a collaboration with @Breakthrough Energy and @FORE Partnership. The initiative highlights cutting-edge sustainable materials and is designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK’s commercial buildings. Explore the map here: https://ukgbc.org/resources/commercial-retrofit-innovation-map/
