Sir Gavin Williamson MP visits Tarmac Building Products

MP sees latest operational improvements at Hilton Main, including a switch to renewable electricity 

SIR Gavin Williamson MP has recently paid a return visit to Tarmac Building Products’ Hilton Main Blocks Plant, near Wolverhampton, during which he received an overview of the manufacturing process and a tour from site manager Matt Bissell, who explained recent operational improvements, including a switch to renewable electricity along with future plans to reduce carbon emissions.

Tarmac have also recently announced that their asphalt plants across the UK have defaulted to lower-carbon warm-mix asphalt for all lower-layer materials, as the company becomes the first in its industry to phase out traditional hot-mix asphalt for highways projects.

Paul Plumridge, operations manager at the site, said: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Gavin to Hilton Main and showcase the steps we’ve been taking to electrify the block-manufacturing process.’

He added: ‘Tarmac also have ambitions to increase the amount of recycled content in asphalt used by our customers in the West Midlands. Together with the company’s warm-mix asphalt offering and approach to planned, proactive roads maintenance, we can support local authorities in tackling the climate emergency and meeting their net-zero goals, whilst also providing better value for money to the taxpayer.’

Sir Gavin (second from right) commented: ‘It was great to pay a return visit to Tarmac’s Hilton Main Blocks Plant recently and to see their commitment to transitioning to a lower-carbon economy. They have done some great work in moving to produce lower-carbon construction materials, which will help ensure that new housing across the country keeps us on the road to Net Zero.’