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United Utilities Turns Toilet Paper Into Industrial Glucose

10/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

United Utilities is trialing its Cellvation process at Blackburn facility, filtering toilet paper to produce glucose.
The sugar is intended for industrial use only, not the food chain.
Chief engineer Lisa Mansell cites biofuels, bioplastics, and sustainable detergents as glucose uses.
A second technology recovers biopolymers from sewage sludge, using waste from over 200,000 toilets with carbon-reduction benefits.

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Story summary

United Utilities is trialing its Cellvation process at Blackburn facility, filtering toilet paper to produce glucose.
The sugar is intended for industrial use only, not the food chain.
Chief engineer Lisa Mansell cites biofuels, bioplastics, and sustainable detergents as glucose uses.
A second technology recovers biopolymers from sewage sludge, using waste from over 200,000 toilets with carbon-reduction benefits.