Over £50 million UK government funding as part of Plan for Change to drive economic growth

Hanson (the UK cement division of Heidelberg Materials and a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry) states that the UK government funding will help net Zero construction materials for off-shore wind projects

Twenty-five businesses across the country have received nearly £52 million to reduce their carbon emissions to boost the UK’s mission as part of the Plan for Change to become a clean energy superpower and accelerate to net zero, supporting jobs and economic growth, according to the Department of Net Zero and Energy Security.

It states:

'With industry paying for around two thirds of the project costs to cut emissions, this funding will help businesses of all sizes expand and innovate, including supporting new jobs through construction and operations – helping to cut their energy bills and boost local growth across the country.

'This delivers the government’s Plan for Change to make Britain a clean energy superpower, driving economic growth and rebuilding Britain. The upcoming Industrial Strategy will also give investors and industry confidence to plan for the next decade and beyond, with clean energy industries a key sector identified to reignite the UK’s industrial heartlands and grow the economy.'

Hanson Cement in North Wales will use its £5.6 million grant to support its multi-million-pound carbon capture and storage project – which it hopes will create hundreds of jobs during construction and capturing 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year once operational – the equivalent of taking 320,000 cars off the road. 

As well as support for individual businesses, setting them up for a more sustainable future as well as cutting energy costs and streamlining production, the government recently confirmed that contracts have been signed for the UK’s first carbon capture project in Teesside. This marks the latest milestone in the government’s mission to reignite its industrial heartlands, tackle the climate crisis and turbocharge growth for decades to come.   

Minister for Industry Sarah Jones said: 

Helping businesses of all sizes to reduce their emissions is core to our Plan for Change to achieve net zero while growing the economy. These companies represent some of the best of business innovation – using new technologies to improve how we do things, become more sustainable, and continue to make the British products we love – from baked beans to beer.

The government says it is also continuing to invest in renewable energy projects, with a record number of projects secured earlier this year, to ensure homes and businesses benefit from clean, homegrown electricity – protecting them from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets.

Simon Willis, CEO Hanson UK, said:  

I would like to thank government and all those that supported us in our bid to receive funding, which will enable us to help decarbonise the construction industry and meet our overall ambition to become a net zero business. This global exemplar project will provide net zero construction materials for major projects across the country, from new offshore wind farms and nuclear power stations, to clean transport infrastructure, as early as 2028.