A recycling company that operates from a site in Armthorpe, near Doncaster is opening a second plant in Leeds on a site acquired from a supplier.
Environmental Construction Materials (ECM) has taken over the four-acre site at Betteras Hill from KE Lunness Aggregates, which washed aggregates on its behalf as part of the recycling process. ECM is now establishing its own operation on the site with the help of a £400,000 loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
The funding will enable it to upgrade its plant and equipment and transfer part of its operation from Armthorpe. ECM has taken on the three existing employees at the site and plans to create more jobs in the year ahead. The company also employs eight staff at the plant in Armthorpe and at its office in Worksop.
ECM washes both aggregates and glass waste from bottle banks to remove pollutants and chemicals and provide eco-friendly materials for the construction industry. The company is owned by serial entrepreneurs Philip Horsnall and Jonathan Prutton, who acquired it from administration in early 2025 and have since brought it back to profitability.
The two men, who have extensive experience in the construction and materials sectors, also owned Moorhead Excavations in Leeds before its conversion to employee ownership three years ago.
Jonathan Prutton, Managing Director, says: “Philip and I had both spotted the demand for aggregate recycling and when the opportunity arose to buy the business from the administrators, we could see its potential. Since then we have worked hard to turn it around and enhance the processing technology. Taking on the Leeds site will further enhance its profitability by enabling us to take over the processing work ourselves and improve logistics. Ultimately we aim to make ECM the most reliable, high quality aggregate and glass re-processer in the UK.”
Ian Whitworth of Mercia Business Loans adds: “Jonathan and Philip are seasoned entrepreneurs who have transformed the ECM business within a short time. We are pleased to help them establish this new operation in Leeds and take the company from strength to strength.”
Sarah Newbould, Associate Director said: “Through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, we’re proud to be supporting businesses like ECM as they invest in new facilities, strengthen their operations and create jobs. This funding will help ECM expand its recycling capabilities in Leeds, supporting the growth of a business that is helping to provide more sustainable materials for the construction industry while contributing to the wider regional economy.”
Additional finance was secured from Compass Business Finance on the freehold land and plant and equipment.
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.