Aylesford Newsprint enters administration

The papermaking and recycling company Aylesford Newsprint, based in Kent, United Kingdom, has announced its intent to enter into administration, a British version of U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The announcement was made on Feb. 23, 2015.

The newsprint manufacturer, which has been operating at its Kent site since 1922, consumes around 500,000 metric tons of recovered fiber per year to produce more than 400,000 metric tons of 100 percent recycled-content newsprint. The mill primarily consumes old newspapers (ONP), mixed paper and old magazines (OMG).

“Today’s news that Aylesford Newsprint has gone into administration is absolutely devastating for the local area and the 300 employees at the site, which has been an important part of our local community for nearly 100 years,” said British Parliament member Tracy Crouch, in a statement released following Aylelsford’s plan to file for administration.

“It is unclear at the moment what the implications are for Aylesford Newsprint’s customers and those associated with the site, including the local authorities who use the site for recycling purposes,” Crouch continued. “While I am aware of the challenging environment the industry faces with the decline of newspaper readership and the cost of paper, I will be meeting with the Minister at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills tonight to see what support, if any, can be given. I will be doing absolutely all I can for those affected by this devastating news.”