Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 28, Heidelberg Materials has received a final investment decision (FID) from the UK government for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at its Padeswood cement works in North Wales. Announced by Energy Minister Michael Shanks of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the project marks the UK’s first full-scale CCS initiative in cement production, supporting efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while fostering economic growth in the construction sector.

Padeswood project is Heidelberg Materials’ first full-scale carbon capture facility to reach FID.

Construction of the Padeswood CCS facility is set to begin later in 2025, with plans to produce evoZero carbon-captured net-zero cement by 2029. The project is expected to create significant economic benefits for North Wales, preserving over 200 existing jobs, generating about 50 new positions, and creating up to 500 jobs during construction.

Cement production generates substantial CO₂ emissions due to its chemical processes, which renewable energy alone cannot fully mitigate. The Padeswood facility aims to capture nearly 95% of its operational CO₂ emissions, including biogenic CO₂ from biomass fuels derived from domestic waste. This could potentially make the cement produced net-negative in carbon emissions. Captured carbon will be compressed and transported via an underground pipeline for storage beneath Liverpool Bay as part of the HyNet North West project.

Simon Willis, CEO of Heidelberg Materials, stated: “Our constructive partnership with the UK government has allowed us to reach this major milestone, which is fantastic news, not just for us, but for the industry as a whole. 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.”

The Padeswood project positions Heidelberg Materials as a leader in sustainable cement production, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize heavy industries. The initiative also complements the company’s recent expansion in the US, where its North American division acquired Giant Cement and its subsidiaries for approximately $600 million, with the deal finalized in April 2025.

By integrating advanced CCS technology, the Padeswood facility will enhance environmental sustainability while supporting economic development in North Wales through job creation and infrastructure investment, contributing to the UK’s broader decarbonization goals.