Recyclers across Europe—and possibly further afield—are being warned to be vigilant following the theft of high-value PET recycling machinery from a UK facility. The stolen equipment, estimated at £1.3 million (EUR 1.6 million), was taken from the Bilston site of QC Polymer, located in the West Midlands.
The theft occurred just days before a scheduled public auction of the company’s assets. QC Polymer, which had entered administration on October 29, was set to hold an inspection for potential buyers on November 6. However, when auctioneers arrived, they discovered that the facility was completely emptied of all its manufacturing equipment.
A Coordinated and Pre-Meditated Theft
Auctioneer GJ Wisdom remarked that dismantling such a facility would typically take weeks and require several lorries to transport the machinery. The stolen inventory, which included specialized PET recycling technology, was removed in a meticulously planned operation.
Hasib Howlader, representing the administrators from Hudson Weir, described the theft as “an extraordinary turn of events.” He emphasized the scale and sophistication of the operation, stating, “The theft was conducted over three days, indicating clear pre-planning. More concerning was that there were no signs of forced entry into the factory building.”
Howlader further noted that the stolen equipment was highly specialized, making it difficult to sell on the open market. As a result, he has urged industry professionals to stay alert for any second-hand PET recycling machinery being offered at unusually low prices.
Plans for Growth Crushed
In early 2024, QC Polymer was acquired by Mysore Petro Chemicals, a company based in India. The new owners had ambitious plans to turn the struggling firm around, aiming for £100 million in revenue within five years by advancing recycled PET (rPET) technology. At the time of the heist, QC Polymer’s production line was producing 18,000 tonnes annually of 100% clear flakes, a key material in the recycling process.
Among the stolen items were several key machines used in PET recycling, including:
- Bail Break, Trommel Separator, Cap & Label Separator, Tomra Autosort Bottle Sorter with EM3 Metal Sensor
- Ken Mills Aries Horizontal Bailer, Label Remover, Pre-Washer, Granulators, Floating Tanks, Centrifugal Dryers
- Steam Boiler, Hot Wash Tanks, Hot Air Drying System, Blow Down Vessel, Tomra Optical Flake Sorter, Eddy Current Separator
- Discharge Silo & Twin Bagging Stand, along with various connecting conveyors
- Boge Direct Air UK Air Compressor with a 1000L Tank & Dryer
- Two Polymer Preparation Systems
- Dissolved Air Floatation System for water filtration
Garry Wisdom, the auctioneer overseeing the sale, expressed his disappointment at the loss of a business that had been at the forefront of green technology. “It’s a sad day for the industry, especially considering the energy challenges that contributed to QC Polymer’s financial difficulties,” Wisdom said. He added that government incentives, such as reduced energy rates, could have helped the company and other environmental businesses thrive.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
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