Green Manufacturing Boost for Gloucestershire as UNWASTED Revives Historic Mill

A major green tech investment is breathing new life into Cam’s historic paper mill.

Unwasted, the company behind Neverwaste™ low-carbon construction panels, has signed a deal to recommission the former Sundeala site, bringing £20 million investment and 70 new jobs to Gloucestershire.

The site, dormant since Sundeala’s closure, will now host Unwasted’s first commercial production plant. Their patented process transforms waste cellulose into high-performance panels for furniture, kitchens, and flooring, without using virgin timber, glues, or toxic chemicals. It’s a fully circular solution for the built environment.

The Inward Investment team has supported Unwasted throughout their relocation, linking the business with local authority contacts, specialist advice, and planning support. Next, we’ll help connect Unwasted with education providers to develop apprenticeships and community engagement around circular economy skills.

Unwasted is also moving its R&D centre from North Wales to Cam, making Gloucestershire a hub for innovation in sustainable materials. CEO Rod Fountain said: “It’s fantastic to upcycle an old mill into a state-of-the-art facility fit for the net zero world we urgently need.”

The Cam plant will produce 10,000 cubic metres of Neverwaste™ panels annually, serving UK and European markets. It’s also the launchpad for Unwasted’s wider expansion across Europe.

Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher called the project “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring world-class green manufacturing to the area.”

Unwasted’s innovation is also featured in the UK Green Building Council’s Commercial Retrofit Innovation Map, highlighting its role in accelerating the decarbonisation of construction.