Construction is set to begin on the UK’s first carbon capture facility for cement production, following a final investment decision (FID) reached between Heidelberg Materials UK and the UK Government. The project, located at the company’s Padeswood cement works in north Wales, is being hailed as a major step toward decarbonizing one of the world’s hardest-to-abate industries.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks confirmed the decision on September 25, emphasizing that the initiative represents both a climate milestone and a regional growth opportunity.
“This trailblazing cement works showcases the north Wales workforce on the global stage – leading the charge in the clean industries of the future and powering Britain’s reindustrialization through this UK-first project,” he said.
Delivering Net Zero Cement
Cement is indispensable in construction but notoriously carbon-intensive, since most emissions stem from the chemical reactions at the heart of cement production.
Unlike power generation, these cannot be eliminated with renewable energy alone. Instead, the only viable path to net zero cement lies in capturing emissions before they escape into the atmosphere.
The Padeswood CCS facility is designed to capture about 95% of CO2 emissions, including biogenic CO2 released from biomass fuels such as non-recyclable food, wood, and paper waste.
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The captured carbon will be compressed and transported via pipeline to Liverpool Bay, where it will be stored securely beneath the seabed as part of the HyNet North West cluster. Once operational in 2029, the site will supply the UK market with evoZero, the company’s brand of net zero cement.
By combining deep emissions cuts with job creation and export potential, the Padeswood project underlines Britain’s bid to position itself as a global leader in industrial decarbonization. It also highlights the pivotal role carbon capture and storage must play in meeting the UK’s climate and economic goals.
CEO Simon Willis stated: “Our new facility at Padeswood will be a world-leader. It will capture around 800,000 tonnes of CO2 a year from our existing cement works, allowing us to produce evoZero carbon captured net zero cement, which will help the UK construction industry reach its decarbonisation aims.”
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