Vehicle salvage and recycling company Synetiq will invest in its Winsford site to prepare for processing EVs.
Following the government’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars brought forward to 2030, Synetiq announced it will expand its Cheshire site creating an EV recycling centre.
According to Synetiq, the new recycling centre will be the first of its kind in Europe. It will feature purpose-built depollution facilities, as well as remodelled dismantling equipment and large-scale racking for parts and EV battery storage.
The company said it currently has specialist equipment and process for EVs and hybrid vehicles but new recycling processes are in development. Some 50 staff are trained to handle EVs safely, and further training and investment is scheduled to upskill Synetiq’s team.
Synetiq executive director John Schofield, said: “[Synetiq] has always moved with the times and what our clients and customers want: this investment and commitment to our base in Cheshire is the next chapter of a very exciting story.”
This latest investment follows £500,000 spent on EV handling capabilities at the company’s South West flagship in Gloucester.
However, as part of the changes the Nantwich site will close by Spring 2021, with most employees redeployed to the Winsford site. The company said this was in line with its business strategy concentrating on larger strategically located sites.
It has begun the implementation of this strategy in Scotland and the South West earlier this year.
Planning and consultation on the Winsford site will continue for the rest of the year with expansion work expected in the new year. Winsford will also still operate as a salvage and online auction site.
