Augean makes good progress following "difficult" start to year

HAZARDOUS waste group Augean said it made good progress after a difficult start to the year thanks to increased activity in its landfill division and consolidation in its treatment business.

The Wetherby-based company said extreme weather conditions "significantly hampered" its ability to move waste at the beginning of the year but overall trading in the first half of the year has been in line with management's expectations, with net debt approximately 5m, compared to 6m at the second half of the year in 2009.

During the first six months of the year, hazardous waste volumes into the Landfill sites were 95,053 tonnes reflecting an upturn following a weak January and February, with sales in the landfill division remaining predominantly linked to activity in the construction and land remediation markets.