PET Processors, the Dumfries based plastics processing company has been bought by a consortium of investors, including John Mills from UK based Sigma Group and Scottish businessman, Norman Currie of Currie Group Holdings.

News of the deal was announced on December 5th after several weeks of negotiations, between John and PET Processors owner, Diefenthal Holdings.

The business will initially be managed by John, who has extensive experience in the UK and European plastics industry, with his Houghton Le Spring based PETEC and Lancashire based Sigma Technical Plastics companies.

Although officially retired, Norman has many active business interests, and will assume the role of Chairman at the newly named PETUK business.

PET Processors was started by Southern  Holdings in 1996, and the company has a range of business interests across America, including a sister company, PET Processors LLC in Ohio. The sale of their UK business is being seen as an opportunity to refocus upon core geographic markets.

PETUK are specialists in plastics processing, and are one of only several UK companies with full EFSA (European Food Standards Agency) certification for the resupply of food grade plastics, and capable of handling a broad range of plastics including PET, PBT, PP, HDPE, PA and PEN.

“You might not have heard of PETUK, but the chances are you will have handled plastic that was processed by us. Our plastics have a range of uses, from food packaging such as plastic bottles and microwave trays, through to car parts,” suggests John.

Explaining the purchase of PETUK, John suggested “... this is a boom industry, and PETUK is at the forefront of it. It’s a great strategic fit with our Sigma Group of companies, and I’m delighted to play a part in securing valuable manufacturing jobs for Scotland. PETUK already has a strong position in the UK, with customers across Europe and even the Far East.”

“There are very few production sites in Europe that can produce prime recycled materials to the quality of PETUK in Dumfries. With new landfill directives and recycling initiatives, the potential for future growth is tremendous. Overall, the Sigma Group now has a complete end to end plastics solution, from plastic waste recycling through to a finished sheet, suitable for food/non food packaging and parts applications.”

According to John, ambitious growth plans will see production output doubling during 2015 at the Dumfries factory, requiring additional manufacturing and support staff.