Heidelberg Materials UK has secured planning permission to build a carbon capture facility at its Padeswood cement works in Flintshire, north Wales, moving forward its ambition to deliver the UK’s first net zero cement plant.
The decision by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales marked a critical milestone in the development of the plant, which will capture up to 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from the existing cement works. Captured emissions will be transported via the HyNet North West pipeline and stored under the seabed in Liverpool Bay.
The company has not yet named the contractor for the scheme, although data intelligence provider Glenigan has named Luddon Construction as a bidder.
Glenigan also values the job at £405.6m.
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility is expected to be operational by 2029, producing evoZero cement – claimed by Heidelberg to be the world’s first carbon-captured net zero product. Cement production is highly carbon intensive due to the chemical processes involved, meaning CCS is essential to eliminate these emissions.
The project will create around 50 permanent jobs and support up to 500 construction roles. The economic impact is expected to be significant, with investment expected to boost local employment and supply chains.
Simon Willis, chief executive at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “Cement is essential to the UK’s transition to net zero. It is fundamental to the development of everything from new offshore wind farms, to nuclear power stations, to low carbon infrastructure.”
The CCS facility forms part of Heidelberg’s contribution to the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target. The plant’s emissions will be routed into the HyNet cluster, a key component of the UK’s broader industrial decarbonisation strategy.
Source: Heidelberg Materials UK press release/Glenigan