Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP, Wera Hobhouse, recently left the green benches of Westminster to visit the historic Portals Paper Limited mill in Bathford, gaining firsthand insight into the UK’s paper industry and its ongoing challenges.
Dating back centuries, Bathford Mill has a rich heritage, with its earliest recorded mention in the Domesday Book of 1089. Since 1809, the site has been producing paper, evolving from earlier uses including milling corn, processing cloth, manufacturing leather goods, flour, and even the famous Bath Oliver biscuits.
Since 1973, the mill has been dedicated exclusively to the specialized cylinder mould process—a unique technique that produces highly secure, watermarked paper renowned worldwide for its quality and stability. Today, it stands as the last of its kind, supplying security paper essential for passports, certificates, and identity documents.
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With over three centuries of British expertise, Portals leads the field in sophisticated security printing features like registered watermarks, UV-visible fibres, and chemical sensitisation, playing a pivotal role in crafting some of the most secure travel documents globally, including the UK passport.
During her visit on August 19, Ms. Hobhouse learned that the UK paper industry contributes more than £15 billion annually to the economy, sustaining approximately 115,000 jobs across packaging, hygiene, and other sectors.
Rebecca Lewis, Operations Director at Portals, emphasized the paper industry’s environmental leadership: “More than 80% of paper packaging is recycled, and the sector continually lowers carbon emissions through sustainable practices. At Portals, we proudly employ around 125 skilled workers dedicated to maintaining our vital role in the UK’s circular economy and national supply chains.”
However, the visit also shed light on concerns regarding the recently implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. These rules require packaging producers to report data and pay fees covering collection, processing, and recycling costs. Industry experts warn that the current fee structure may inadvertently favor less sustainable, lightweight plastics over paper materials.
Dimitra Rappou, Executive Director of Sustainable Products at the Confederation of Paper Industries, explained, “While we support the principles of EPR and have invested heavily in recycling infrastructure and packaging innovation, parts of the scheme unfairly incentivize plastics due to their lighter weight, undermining recycling and sustainability goals.”
Echoing these concerns, Ms. Hobhouse stated, “Paper is an essential material used daily by everyone. The industry not only supports the UK economy but also champions recycling. Portals is a world-class employer in my constituency, and I am committed to advocating in Parliament for policies that promote a circular economy, skilled jobs, and sustainable choices while ensuring these regulations are fair and effective.”
She concluded, “We are truly on the same page when it comes to building a sustainable future for the paper industry and the UK.”