Pictured: (l-r) David Holloway (LTSBC) and Peter Roche (ESS) 

A Birmingham-based waste treatment business has secured a £177,000 business loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial to purchase a state-of-the-art screening and separation treatment plant.

Environmental Screening and Separation Ltd - established 18 months ago and based in Coleshill - provides the waste industry with the plant, equipment and man-power to remove and separate silt, grit and plastics, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by 70 per cent.

The government-backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) loan provided by Lloyds TSB Commercial has enabled the business to purchase a new mobile D:Max machine which screens and separates out solids from sludge and water which previously was left behind.

Currently employing eight people with an annual turnover of over £550,000, Environmental Screening and Separation Ltd has carried out various contracts with large water companies such as Severn Trent Water and United Utilities and expects the purchase of the new eco-friendly machinery to double its turnover this year.

The EFG scheme helps small businesses with a workable business proposal, but lacking sufficient security, to borrow money from approved lenders. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provides a partial guarantee for the loan.

Peter Roche, director at Environmental Screening and Separation Ltd, said: "A huge amount of waste is sent to landfill from industry every year. After having worked in the scaffolding business at the waste treatment plants for many years, it became clear that a more sustainable solution could be found with the right plant and equipment.

"Since launching the business there has been a real appetite for the service. I approached Lloyds TSB Commercial for funding for the D:Max machine when demand grew too much for my current two machines in operation. Having banked with them for many years, they have been extremely supportive in helping me to drive the business forward.

"We have secured various works with Severn Trent Water and United Utilities, which is great news, and have had enquiries into helping to screen and separate material derived from dredging canals and rivers, reed beds, gully and drain cleaning, which we are currently progressing. Without the funding from the bank, we simply would not have been able to satisfy the increasing interest in the service."

David Holloway, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: "Environmental Screening and Separation Ltd is a fascinating business. By taking what is essentially a waste product which would otherwise be sent to landfill and removing the majority of the mass, they are making a significant step towards making waste treatment more sustainable.

"The EFG scheme is perfect for relatively new businesses like Peter's that need that extra funding to expand, but don't yet have the security to secure it.

"With Peter's experience in the waste treatment industry through his scaffolding work, he has built a sound understanding of the process and how it can be improved. It is great to see a local man making such a difference through innovation and using his initiative."