Futamura Chemical UK Ltd has applied for a retail Sewerage Services Licence (SSL) with a retail authorisation limited to self-supply.

Photo: Futamura cellulose film production line at its European manufacturing plant in Wigton, Cumbria
Futamura Chemical are a supplier of renewable and compostable packaging films and cellulose casings providing speciality products - the cellulose products it produces are primarily made from wood pulp.
At end of life, microorganisms digest the cellulose, producing water, carbon dioxide and biomass, making it a natural, highly sustainable material that is returned to the earth at the end of its life cycle.
The synopsis of the company’s busines plan published by Ofwat says Futamura Chemical is currently working towards a 5% water reduction goal compared to a 2016 baseline year.
Within the cellulose business alone Futamura Chemical states it is focusing on water circulation through the reuse of cooling water, water resource protection through water reduction and wastewater treatment.
Futamura Chemical states that through being a participant in the retail market, it can drive
further innovation and provide a voice in Market Operator Services Ltd discussions.
The business plan synopsis states that the firm considers that having a self-supply licence will provide it with the opportunity to take more control over its own water use and effluent discharge, dealing directly with the wholesalers and to build on the success of its water programs.
Futamura Chemical has separately entered a partnership agreement with Waterscan Ltd
who will be responsible for the retail functions including meter reading, Central Market Operating System (CMOS) transactions, wholesaler management and finding further efficiency savings.
The partnership will take the form of a contractual agreement between the parties and has
been submitted as part of the SSL limited to self-supply application process.
As a self-supply licensee, Futamura Chemical will pay wholesale prices that retailers pay to
the sewerage companies - it will not pay the retail margin added by suppliers in the open
sewerage market. Instead, it will become a market participant and be able to supply sewerage
services to multiple sites.
Deadline to submit representations or objections to Ofwat about the application and the regulator’s proposal to apply the standard licence conditions is 17.00 hours on 26 November 2024. Submissions should be made in writing to Ofwat at Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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