A £300 MILLION recycled paper mill has been officially opened by a Government minister.

Business and energy minister Michael Fallon carried out the honours at the facility, known as PM-11, which was built by Spanish multinational paper and corrugated packaging manufacturer SAICA at Partington Wharfside.

The official opening of PM-11 marks the return of paper making to Partington, which in 1848, was referred to as being the area’s oldest industry.

The facility - which has created more than 90 jobs - uses recovered papers to produce 450,000 tonnes of recycled containerboard each year – enough paper to cover the 196-mile distance from Partington to London every three hours.

The new paper mill will help to divert the export of some 450,000 tonnes a year of used paper by recycling it within the UK - reducing carbon emissions by 84,011 tonnes per year - the equivalent of taking 28,000 cars off the road.

The Partington Mill will also become the principal source of paper for SAICA PACK operations within the UK and Ireland, allowing for a further reduction in the environmental costs associated with importing paper from central Europe.

SAICA says it has designed the new mill to be fully integrated and use state-of-the-art technologies, including a dedicated combined heat and power station to generate clean energy as well as an advanced effluent treatment plant.

Mr Fallon said: "This cutting edge facility shows how state of the art technology and innovation can help drive growth. It’s a real boost for the economy.

"We are becoming an increasingly green economy and starting to reduce the impact of industry on the environment. So it’s promising to see the new facility will prevent thousands of tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere."

Speaking ahead of PM-11’s inauguration, SAICA president Ramón Alejandro said: “It is an honour to expand our operations in the UK and bring paper making back to Partington, reigniting an industry that has a rich heritage here.

“We are proud of what we have achieved here in Partington, which now boasts the world’s fastest paper making machine.

“The mill will boost recycling, contribute to the British economy, provide employment for years to come and saving thousands of tonnes in carbon emissions.

“Making this project become a reality has taken dedication and investment and demonstrates our commitment to this country.

“I’d like to thank Michael Fallon, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, for recognising this important milestone and being part of our celebrations.”