Padeswood: Heidelberg launches consultation for UK’s first net zero cement facility

A public consultation has been launched on an ambitious carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at a Flintshire cement works.

Running from today, 2 July, until 12 August 2024, the statutory consultation seeks public input on the proposed plans to install state-of-the-art CCS technology at Padeswood Cement Works.

The Padeswood CCS project aims to capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, significantly reducing the plant’s carbon footprint.

This initiative is part of the larger HyNet North West network, which could save around 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking four million cars off the road.

If approved, Padeswood will become the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement works.

The project is expected to bring considerable investment and employment opportunities to the region, protecting 222 existing jobs and creating 54 new full-time positions at Padeswood.

Additionally, it will generate up to 350 jobs during the construction phase, injecting over £600 million into the local economy.

David Quick, Plant Manager at Padeswood cement works, expressed gratitude to those who participated in the initial non-statutory consultation earlier this year.

“Since we last consulted in 2023, we have been hard at work developing our plans and incorporating the feedback we received. We are now in a position to present our more detailed proposals before submitting our planning application. We look forward to hearing the views of the local community on this transformational project,” he said.

Heidelberg Materials UK will hold four in-person consultation events to engage with the community:

• Buckley Cross Methodist Church, 3-7 Padeswood Road, Buckley, CH7 2JL – Saturday, 13 July, 10:00 – 13:00
• Emmanuel Church Penyffordd, 42 Vounog Hill, Penyffordd, CH4 0EZ – Saturday, 13 July, 14:00 – 17:00
• Buckley Cross Methodist Church, 3-7 Padeswood Road, Buckley, CH7 2JL – Wednesday, 17 July, 13:00 – 20:00
• Emmanuel Church Penyffordd, 42 Vounog Hill, Penyffordd, CH4 0EZ – Thursday, 18 July, 10:00 – 17:00

Hardcopies of consultation materials, including feedback forms and information booklets, will be available at various public venues throughout the consultation period. Additionally, two online engagement sessions will be held on Tuesday, 16 July, and Thursday, 25 July.

The project is part of the larger HyNet North West initiative, the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation effort, which will include a huge 60 km pipeline to transport CO2 from industrial areas in the North West and North Wales through Deeside, and to store it in depleted gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay.

As Heidelberg Materials approaches the submission of their planning application later this year, the consultation offers a valuable opportunity for the public to engage with the project team, ask questions, and provide feedback on the proposals.

For those interested in discussing the project further, the company invites emails to [email protected], calls to 0800 046 9642, or letters to FREEPOST PADESWOOD CCS.

Further details about the project and consultation materials can be accessed at padeswoodccs.co.uk.

Heidelberg encourages all members of the community to participate in the consultation and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable cement production in the UK.