Heidelberg & Encyclis Secure Contracts for First Major CCS Facilities in UK

The UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood, developed by Heidelberg Materials UK, and one of the world’s first full-scale carbon capture-enabled waste-to-energy facilities at Protos in Ellesmere Port, developed by Encyclis, have signed final contracts with the government to begin construction.

Two groundbreaking carbon capture projects are set to be developed in Flintshire, North Wales, and Cheshire, featuring advanced technology at a cement plant and a first-of-its-kind waste-to-energy facility. Together, these initiatives will create high-value roles for engineers, construction professionals, technicians, and safety specialists across the UK. As cement and waste-to-energy production are among the hardest sectors to decarbonise, carbon capture offers the only viable pathway to reduce their emissions. Once operational, the Padeswood and Protos projects will remove 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, supporting the UK’s net zero drive while ensuring long-term employment and business opportunities in these critical industries.

These projects will act as a springboard for taking British technology, expertise, and innovation to international markets, opening new economic opportunities for UK companies and strengthening their position in the global green economy. They also mark the first two anchor developments to connect into Eni’s Liverpool Bay Transportation & Storage system, a core element of the HyNet carbon capture cluster, which received final approval from the Prime Minister in April after years of industry delays.