Tarmac supporting Sellafield in safely managing UK’s nuclear legacy
On-site concrete batching plant playing vital role in enabling safe treatment and storage of nuclear waste
TARMAC are supporting Sellafield in delivering its mission to safely manage the UK’s nuclear legacy.
Concrete plays a vital role in the construction of facilities that enable the safe treatment and storage of waste removed from Sellafield’s ponds and silos in West Cumbria. To meet this demand efficiently, Tarmac operate an on-site concrete batching plant, eliminating the need to source concrete from multiple suppliers and allowing for large-scale production.
The plant includes new laboratories designed to optimize the sustainability of concrete production. Additionally, by producing concrete on site, transportation distances are significantly reduced, easing traffic on local roads and cutting carbon emissions.
A key sustainable feature of the plant is its use of recycled water. Both rainwater and site-generated greywater are repurposed in the concrete production process, minimizing reliance on freshwater resources.
Delivered by the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) at Sellafield, the batching plant marks a major milestone in the site’s long-term infrastructure strategy.
Duncan Elliott, head of the PPP at Sellafield, said: ‘This is the first major project to be completed by our partnership and will bring significant benefits to support major infrastructure delivery and hazard reduction at Sellafield.
‘There’s been a fantastic team effort from everyone involved. The plant has been four years in the making and Sellafield now has a world-class facility. Thank you to everyone involved in achieving this huge success, a great effort, well done!’
The concrete batching plant is the first of many major infrastructure projects being delivered through the partnership. Each project plays a vital role in ensuring Sellafield can safely empty ponds and silos, manage the waste, and store it safely, thereby helping the site achieve its purpose to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.
The project was a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations, including OneAim, Tarmac, Total Batching Solutions, and teams within the partnership. Their combined expertise supported the site’s construction, commissioning, and transition to the new concrete supplier.
