Planning Approved for Net-Zero Cement Factory

Heidelberg Materials UK has received approval to construct a carbon capture facility at its Padeswood cement works in Flintshire, north Wales, advancing its goal to establish the UK’s first net zero cement plant. The decision, granted by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, is a significant step for the project, which aims to capture up to 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from the cement works. The captured emissions will be transported through the HyNet North West pipeline and stored beneath the seabed in Liverpool Bay.

The company has yet to confirm the contractor for the project, though Glenigan, a data intelligence provider, identified Luddon Construction as a potential bidder. Glenigan estimates the project’s value at £405.6 million. Set to be operational by 2029, the facility will produce evoZero cement, which Heidelberg Materials claims is the world’s first carbon-captured net zero cement. Cement production generates significant emissions due to its chemical processes, making carbon capture and storage (CCS) vital for reducing its environmental impact.

The initiative is expected to create 50 permanent jobs and support up to 500 roles during construction, contributing to local employment and supply chains in Flintshire. Simon Willis, chief executive of Heidelberg Materials UK, emphasized the material’s importance, stating: “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 Padeswood CCS facility aligns with the UK’s 2050 net zero ambitions and integrates with the HyNet cluster, a key part of the nation’s industrial decarbonization efforts. By capturing and storing emissions, the project addresses the environmental challenges of cement production while supporting economic growth in the region. Heidelberg Materials UK continues to prioritize sustainable innovation, with the Padeswood plant poised to set a new standard for the industry.