Cheltenham-based environmental services company, Urbaser Ltd has confirmed the acquisition of J&B Recycling, a waste management company operating in the North East of England.

Urbaser Ltd is an integrated waste and resource management company, providing waste treatment and municipal services solutions to a range of local authorities, businesses and the general public across the UK.

The firm also built and operates the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility at Hardwicke, which processes 190,000 tonnes of waste annually generating 14.5 MW of electricity for export which is enough to power 25,000 homes.

J&B Recycling has a significant portfolio of local authority contracts as well as more than 1,600 trade contracts servicing nearly 700 commercial customers within the region.

The acquisition of J&B Recycling is said to provide Urbaser Ltd with a network of four materials recycling and processing facilities, managing over 180,000 tonnes per annum.

Forecasted revenue for the year ended March 31 was approximately £20 million.

This latest success follows the acquisition of five waste management contracts from Amey which was announced earlier in 2021.

Javier Peiro, managing director of Urbaser Ltd, said: "The acquisition of such an experienced and well-established operation within the North East represents a significant step in our ambition for growth within the UK marketplace.

"We are excited to welcome nearly 200 new employees to the Urbaser Ltd family. We look forward to building on the success of J&B Recycling within the region and continuing to deliver exemplary levels of service to the significant network of local authority and commercial and industrial customers.

"We have a strong history in the collection and processing of recyclable and municipal waste across the UK and internationally, and we are very pleased to be building on our existing presence in the North of England."

Vikki Jackson-Smith, chief executive officer of J&B Recycling, added: "When it came to looking for a partner that could support the business in our next chapter, Urbaser Ltd ticked all of the boxes.

"This deal will allow us to continue our growth within an organisation with shared values and goals. It will also provide the enhanced support for our team and customers that comes with being part of a company of Urbaser's scale and calibre."