Welsh Minister hears net-zero plans for Padeswood

Minister learns more about innovative plans to upgrade site into UK’s first net-zero cement works

WALES Minister David TC Davies MP has visited Hanson’s Padeswood cement production facility, in North Wales, where he heard first-hand about how the firm plans to upgrade its existing facility to become the UK’s first net-zero cement works.

If the industry-leading project goes ahead, Padeswood would be only the second facility of its kind in the world and would set the UK’s construction industry on a path to achieving the Government’s binding 2050 net-zero targets.

The plant would supply net-zero cement to projects such as new offshore wind farms, nuclear power stations, and clean transport infrastructure by capturing and storing 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in expired gas fields in the Irish Sea through a carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline – part of the HyNet North West and North Wales programme.

If built, the project would begin supplying net-zero cement from 2027, protecting 222 jobs as well as creating 54 new full-time roles and 350 jobs during construction.

Hanson’s investment will also help pave the way for a sustainable future for the 2,500 people employed in the cement industry, as well as 15,000 indirect jobs and 2.5 million jobs in the construction industry.

Mr Davies said: ‘The UK Government has hugely ambitious plans to reach Net Zero by 2050 with business and industry in Wales playing a key role. It was fantastic to see how Hanson Cement aim to reach their own carbon-neutral targets with world-leading technology here in Flintshire while continuing to create and support jobs.’

Simon Willis, chief executive officer of Hanson UK, commented: ‘We were delighted to welcome David TC Davies MP to showcase our plans for Padeswood, which would significantly reduce carbon emissions in our business while also securing the long-term future of hundreds of highly skilled jobs.’