Deal struck to create UK’s largest manufacturer of recycled rubber play bark

The product range will be produced at two manufacturing bases in the UK and Ireland including a state-of-art processing centre in Ballymena, County Antrim. Speaking after this week's announcement, Jones said: "The concept of using rubber chippings for play areas and gardens has already given people an exciting new option to rival traditional surfacing, such as bark. "In the past rubber bark has been viewed as a 'high end' product, more expensive than other forms of landscaping surface – but Re-Bound is now going a step further and with our 'state of the art' production facility can manufacture this quality product at a much lower cost than is traditionally expected in the marketplace. "2010 will be an exciting year for Re-Bound – we have a fantastic team with a proven track record in manufacturing high quality recycled garden products.We have already made great strides within the market and are expecting to be able to announce some exciting collaborations with major UK and global companies over the coming months." Jones has been instrumental in bringing innovative and award-winning recycled rubber mulch products to the marketplace – overseeing major distribution deals with Focus DIY and B&Q. Under the Re-Bound brand, products will be created from 100% recycled and sustainable tyres and transformed into colourful 'bark chippings' that can create landscaping and play areas. The chippings also suppress weeds, retain ground moisture, prevent soil compaction and improve drainage. Jones and Peter O'Kane say they have worked to put in place a first-class infrastructure and manufacturing operation that is able to deliver high volume, high quality products with fast turnaround times. Their new range will include rubber bark – a garden and play surface in a range of colours to create borders, pathways and play areas; and rubber crumb – soil improver for lawns and turf.