UK packaging group and plastics recycler Cromwell Polythene (Leeds; www.cromwellpolythene.com) has spent an unspecified sum to increase capacity at its local plant in Alfreton.

The company declined to provide details about production or output at the site.

The firm, founded in 1983, employs around 40 staff. It manufactures plastic bags and sacks that can be used to collect various waste streams from clinical waste to household rubbish, and it reclaims plastics. Last year, the company invested GBP 1 mn (EUR 1.14 mn) to expand operations at its UK manufacturing and recycling operation, CPR Manufacturing (see Plasteurope.com of 18.02.2021).

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In its latest earnings announcement from December 2021, Cromwell said that for the year to 30 April 2021, it generated turnover of GBP 22.2 mn, which was up 10%. Gross profit fell 4% to GBP 3.3 mn, and operating profit slipped 9% to over GBP 924,000.

The group blamed a “challenging political and economic climate in the UK” for the downturn along with “currency and supply chain issues”.