In an unprecedented incident on 6th November 2024, QC Polymer’s entire state-of-the-art rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) recycling plant in Bilston, Wolverhampton, was reported stolen. This brazen theft occurred just days before the facility was scheduled for auction viewing, and the plant is valued at approximately £1.3 million. QC Polymer had recently entered administration on 29th October 2024, with joint administrators Hasib Howlader and Nimish Patel of Hudson Weir appointed to oversee its liquidation. Hudson Weir enlisted G J Wisdom & Co. to handle the sale of the valuable recycling equipment.
This plant housed the latest innovations in PET recycling technology, including cutting-edge machinery designed specifically for plastic bottle recycling. The facility was ready for auction, attracting significant interest from potential buyers. However, when Garry Wisdom of G J Wisdom & Co. arrived on 6th November to prepare for the pre-auction public viewing, he was shocked to find that the plant had been entirely stripped. Every piece of machinery, equipment, and specialised item was missing, leaving the building completely empty.
A Highly Coordinated Heist
“This is an extraordinary and unprecedented turn of events following QC Polymer’s administration,” stated Hasib Howlader of Hudson Weir. “The scale of this heist is unlike anything we have seen, requiring a high degree of planning and coordination.” According to estimates from G J Wisdom & Co., dismantling and removing the entire plant would have taken approximately seven days. This operation would also have required 10 articulated lorries, two cranes, and multiple skilled personnel. The fact that there were no signs of forced entry suggests the theft was highly premeditated, likely involving individuals familiar with the premises and machinery.
The West Midlands Police and the Serious Fraud Squad have been informed and have launched an investigation. In the meantime, Hudson Weir is urging industry stakeholders to be vigilant for any second-hand PET recycling equipment appearing for sale under unusual circumstances.
Detailed Inventory of Stolen Equipment
The missing items include a full inventory of specialised recycling machinery with limited resale markets, including:
- Separation Systems: Trommel Separator, Cap & Label Separator, and a Tomra Autosort Bottle Sorter with EM3 Metal Sensor
- Processing Units: Ken Mills Aries Horizontal Bailer, Label Remover, Pre-Washer, Granulators, Floating Tanks, and Centrifugal Dryers
- Advanced Technologies: Steam Boiler, Hot Wash Tanks, Hot Air Drying System, Blow Down Vessel, Tomra Optical Flake Sorter, Eddy Current Separator
- Additional Equipment: Discharge Silo & Twin Bagging Stand, Boge Direct Air UK Air Compressor with a 1000L Tank & Dryer, Polymer Preparation Systems, and a Dissolved Air Floatation System for water filtration
Industry-Wide Appeal for Vigilance
With several prospective buyers initially lined up, the auction was expected to generate significant funds for creditors. “We are working to recover the value of QC Polymer’s assets to distribute to creditors,” Howlader explained. We encourage those in the recycling and industrial sectors to remain vigilant for any of this stolen equipment that may appear on the second-hand market at suspiciously low prices. Industry members who come across these specialised technologies are encouraged to contact Hasib Howlader directly.
If any suspicious activity or PET recycling machinery is encountered, please report it immediately. By maintaining awareness, industry stakeholders can play a critical role in supporting recovery efforts.
