New concrete batcher at Sellafield brings sustainability into the mix

We need vast amounts of concrete to build the facilities which will enable us to safely treat and store the waste removed from our ponds and silos on the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.

The new on-site concrete batcher means we no longer need to buy in concrete from multiple suppliers.

This gives us greater certainty on price and supply and means we can buy and produce concrete on a greater scale.

New laboratories within the batcher plant will help us make the most sustainable concrete we can – and there will be added environmental benefits as concrete supplies will now only travel short distances around Sellafield itself, helping to reduce traffic on local roads and leading to a reduction in carbon emissions.

The batcher plant also uses both rainwater and site-generated greywater sources so they can be used and recycled in the concrete production process, minimising the use of freshwater.

The facility is operated by Tarmac, the largest construction materials company in the UK, and was delivered by the Programme and Projects Partners at Sellafield.

Head of the Programme and Project Partners at Sellafield, Duncan Elliott said:

This is the first major project to be completed by our partnership and will bring significant benefits to support major infrastructure delivery and hazard reduction at Sellafield.

There’s been a fantastic team effort from everyone involved. The plant has been 4 years in the making and Sellafield now has a brand-new world-class facility.

Thank you to everyone involved in achieving this huge success, a great effort, well done!

The concrete batching plant sits within the partners long-term pipeline of major infrastructure projects and is the first to be delivered by the partnership.

Each project being delivered by the partners plays a vital role in ensuring Sellafield can safely empty ponds and silos, manage the waste and store it safely and therefore helping Sellafield achieve its purpose to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

Multiple organisations worked together with Sellafield Ltd and the partners to build the plant and bring it to operation.

Organisations included: OneAim, Tarmac, Total Batching Solutions, and teams working in the partnership, supporting the site’s construction, commissioning, and transition to the new concrete provider.