Royal opening for Tarmac’s new £110 million cement plant
ON 12 October Tarmac’s new £110million cement plant near Buxton, Derbyshire, was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. During a visit hosted by Tony Trahar, chief executive of Anglo American plc, Tarmac’s parent company, The Princess Royal visited the control room, took time to meet employees and unveiled a plaque marking the opening.
The new plant forms a key element of future operations at Tunstead Quarry, which has been active since 1929. Energy consumption per tonne of cement produced will be reduced by 40% and, although the plant is larger than its predecessor, emissions of particulates will be reduced by 70%, sulphur oxides by 60% and nitrogen oxides by 9%. The opening of the new plant follows extensive consultation and co-operation with the surrounding community, local authorities and regulatory agencies.
Capable of producing 800,000 tonnes of cement each year, the project includes three rail-linked distribution centres at Leeds, Birmingham and London. The opening of the plant also secures employment for 60 direct employees at the site as well as several hundred more people employed by contractors providing road and rail haulage, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering resources.
Speaking at the opening, Clive James, managing director of Tarmac Central Ltd, said: ‘The new cement plant and distribution network gives Buxton Lime Industries the capability to be a national supplier and provides a new option for the construction products industry. All of the cement will be sold by Tarmac’s Buxton Lime Industries subsidiary under the Buxton cement banner.’
