Power Minerals CEO hails ‘new era’ for UK ash pioneer
Company ready to position itself as principal materials provider to UK cement and concrete industry
THE new chief executive officer of Power Minerals Ltd (PML) says the company is ready to position itself as a principal materials provider for the UK cement and concrete industry – and a key enabler for sustainable construction.
Carl Platt, who took over as chief executive officer of the fly-ash pioneer this month, says the company’s US$50million-plus beneficiation plant project, partnering with Drax power station in Yorkshire, provides the launch pad for a new era – with the company moving from trading to manufacturing.
With significant further investment also being explored, the company aims to become one of the UK’s primary supplementary cementitious material (SCM) suppliers, supported by its international Group connections to enable sustainable concrete solutions.
Mr Platt said: ‘It’s a tremendously exciting time to be taking the reins at PML, with our partnership with Drax creating a new facility which will place us in a significant position within the cementitious sector as a manufacturer.
‘I expect it to be the first of a number of investments, as we move to position PML as one of the principal materials providers to the cement and concrete industry in the UK, and being an enabler into the sustainable world of concrete too.’
PML are part of the EP Power Minerals Group, the European competence leader in the management of cementitious materials, blasting abrasives, and industrial waste.
Founded in 2003, PML have been the UK's leading independent supplier of power station by-products, specializing in pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and furnace bottom ash for the construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors.
However, the project with Drax, which is now under construction, represents significant new investment by the European parent company and a long-term ambition to reposition the company.
Mr Platt continued: ‘Right now, analysis suggests that the UK is at the bottom of the construction cycle, with the concrete market at its lowest in 65 years, despite major projects like HS2.
‘However, we see this as a good time to make this level of investment – we’re aiming to strategically reposition the company and build long-term growth.’
The factory being built by PML at Drax will produce up to 400,000 tonnes of low-carbon cementitious fly ash per annum.
And according to Mr Platt, the project is just the start of PML’s ambitions.
‘EP Power Minerals has assets in UK, Germany, and Benelux, giving us access to significant supply and shipping capabilities,’ he said. ‘I want to leverage those group resources and reputation to refocus on the broader cementitious market, to enable sustainable concrete solutions for concrete producers.
‘PML already have a reputation for having a talented team that provides industry leading service to customers. Through investment, we can build on that expertise, as the company evolves as an organization to become a manufacturer.
‘We expect to become a principal materials provider to the cement and concrete industry, and a key enabler as those sectors face the challenge of achieving their sustainability goals.’
Mr Platt, who began his career in the cement sector in 1993, joins EP Power Minerals from Fosroc International Ltd, where he was regional vice-president, Europe and Africa (Sub-Sahara).
