Browne Jacobson advises sustainable waste solution provider Covanta Europe on its new Wellingborough based aggregate processing plant

Browne Jacobson has advised Covanta Europe on its acquisition and development plans for land in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire which will see them construct a processing plant which is due to open in early 2024.

The plant is being developed in partnership with Day Aggregates who will operate the facility. It is expected that each year it will process around 200,000 tonnes of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) waste that is generated by two of Covanta’s UK energy recovery facilities (ERF). Once in operation, the plant will recover metals from the IBA and create aggregate products for use in the construction industry. 

The innovative partnership is unique for Covanta which is a world leader in providing sustainable and modern waste and energy facilities that safely converts approximately 21 million tons of waste from municipalities and businesses into clean, renewable electricity to power one million homes and recycle 600,000 tons of metal. 

The Nottingham Browne Jacobson team was led by government sector partner Craig Elder who advised on the commercial projects agreements along with Partner Robert Wofinden and senior associate, Camille Caulfield who advised on the real estate aspects of the transaction. Legal director, Bethan Ellis-Jones also advised the client on the construction side of the project.

Craig Elder said: “This transaction is both innovative, and crucial to operation of facilities which form an important part of UK infrastructure. Browne Jacobson worked closely with Covanta’s in-house team and, by fielding commercial, property and construction specialists, we were able to play a significant role in delivery. We are delighted to see that the work on site has started and that this arrangement will provide this vital, processing solution for the long-term.”

Andrew Howie, Commercial Director at Covanta Europe added: “By developing this innovative partnership, we will deliver a plant capable of processing the IBA generated by two of our facilities. We are also strengthening our contribution to the circular economy, by way of producing new recyclable materials. This joined-up approach to partnership working is crucial to the evolution of the UK’s waste infrastructure.”

“I would also like to thank the whole Browne Jacobson team for their excellent work on this transaction. The multiple teams involved successfully collaborated to give us strong commercial advice whilst their deep-seated experience of working on big infrastructure and real estate projects, and their expertise in the energy and waste space really came through. We were delighted with the outcome of the deal which means the Covanta brand has been able to broaden out its capabilities and it provides us with a sustainable, long-term solution for treating IBA.”