- Heidelberg’s Padeswood plant will capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, advancing UK industrial decarbonisation.
- The facility supports the government’s net zero goals, aligning with CCS infrastructure like HyNet and the East Coast Cluster.
- Project to generate 500 construction jobs and 50 permanent roles, reinforcing economic and environmental objectives.
Heidelberg Materials has received planning approval to build a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at its Padeswood cement plant in Flintshire, north Wales—positioning the UK closer to decarbonising one of its most emissions-intensive industries.
The facility, scheduled to begin operations in 2029, will capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from cement production. Emissions will be transported via the HyNet North West pipeline for permanent storage beneath Liverpool Bay. Heidelberg will market the resulting product as “evoZero” cement, a near-zero emissions material for the low-carbon construction economy.
“This is fantastic news and a huge step forward for our Padeswood CCS project,” said Simon Willis, CEO of Heidelberg Materials UK. “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 low carbon infrastructure, and the thousands of green jobs that these projects will create.”
The initiative will support 500 construction jobs and establish 50 permanent roles, underlining the dual impact on climate targets and regional employment.
Cement manufacturing accounts for 1.5% of the UK’s total emissions, with decarbonisation requiring more than just renewable energy due to the process’s inherent chemical emissions. CCS technology is therefore critical for mitigation.
Heidelberg’s long-term vision aligns with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal, targeting carbon-neutral concrete by mid-century. The company has collaborated with Equinor since 2019 to advance CCS solutions across the value chain.
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Despite ongoing debate about CCS—some critics argue it delays broader shifts to sustainable materials—global climate authorities like the IEA and IPCC continue to back it as essential for heavy industries.
The UK government remains committed across political lines. In 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed CCS funding, including for HyNet and the East Coast Cluster, aiming to capture 20–30 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030, scaling to 50 million tonnes by 2050.
Heidelberg’s project is one of the first tangible steps toward these targets, illustrating the private sector’s role in delivering the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
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