License for Fenix Battery Recycling in Kilwinning suspended after fire

The Scottish Environment Agency has suspended the license of a battery recycling plant after a fire broke out last month that “sounded like a terrorist attack.”

Emergency services were called to Fenix Battery Recycling at Byrehill Place in Kilwinning after a fire broke out on April 8.

Hundreds of residents in an evacuation zone were forced to leave their homes, while others were asked to stay in their homes and keep their windows closed while the fire was brought under control.

Six fire engines and one high-altitude vehicle were dispatched to the scene and remained there until the afternoon of Friday, April 12.

Almost two months after the fire, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has served two enforcement notices requiring Fenix Battery Recycling Ltd to remove waste batteries that have been on the site at West Byrehill Industrial Estate for more than six months.

Fenix battery recycling at Byrehill Place in Kilwinning. STV News

Because the authority has suspended the company’s approval as an Approved Battery Treatment Operator (ABTO), the company is no longer allowed to accept, store or treat waste.

SEPA said it had taken enforcement action due to non-compliance with licensing conditions and the site’s infrastructure being destroyed by the fire.

They said that continuing the approved activities at the site in its current state would be considered a risk that could lead to severe environmental pollution and serious harm to human health.

Lin Bunten, Chief Operating Officer for Regulatory, Economic and Environmental Affairs at SEPA, said: “The package of measures we have put in place is in response to a serious incident and is designed to protect the environment and communities surrounding Fenix Battery Recycling Ltd’s site in Kilwinning.

“The decision to suspend a licence is never taken lightly, but it is one of the enforcement tools available to us and we will use it if we believe it is necessary to prevent the risk of harm to the environment.”

“The operator is obliged to remove any waste in breach of the licence conditions off-site to an appropriately licensed facility within the dates specified in the enforcement notices.

“The suspension of the Waste Management Licence (WML) will remain in effect until we are satisfied that the conditions set out in the suspension notice have been met – including site infrastructure requirements, a fire protection and fire mitigation plan and a fire alarm system.

“We partially suspended Fenix Battery Recycling Ltd.’s license last year when the company failed to comply with a previous enforcement order we served on them. This prevented them from receiving any more hazardous waste on site after 5pm on November 3, 2023. We will not hesitate to take further action if necessary, consistent with our enforcement policy.”