Local MP visits Tarmac Aberthaw cement plant

Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP returns to hear more about company’s roadmap to net zero by 2050

EARLIER this month Tarmac’s Aberthaw cement plant welcomed The Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP for another look around the site. A regular visitor to the plant, Mr Cairns returned on 13 October for an update on the site and to hear more about the company’s roadmap to reach net zero by 2050.

Mr Cairns (pictured left) heard about Tarmac’s commitment to reduce absolute CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030 (from a 2021 baseline) across all aspects of their business, including cement. This carbon-reduction target is a major challenge, especially given the significant progress that has already been made at Aberthaw. However, plant manager Stuart Escott explained that his team have already hit the ground running and are excited to make further improvements.

In addition to taking on global challenges like climate change and the transition to net zero, Tarmac say they are also mindful of their role as a local business in Aberthaw and take a proactive approach to community engagement. This includes the recent donation of a life-saving defibrillator to Barry Town Veterans FC.

Mr Cairns said: ‘It was great to visit the Aberthaw cement plant, an employer of more than 100 people from the immediate local area. We discussed net zero and I heard more about Tarmac’s ambitious decarbonization targets, and the changes they are implementing to achieve them. I’ve visited the site a few times over the years and always enjoy the enthusiasm and commitment of the team.

‘It was great to meet the engineers on site and I look forward to hearing about further progress in the future. It’s hard-working people like these who will deliver the net-zero goals for industry in Wales as well as the UK’s aim of being net zero by 2050.’

Plant manager Stuart Escott (pictured right) said: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome Alun Cairns MP back to Tarmac Aberthaw. A lot has happened since he was last here and so it was a great opportunity to once again showcase the plant and the fantastic team we have here.

‘Cement is essential for our everyday way of life and the economy, but we have to take steps to reduce the CO₂ emissions associated with its production, if we are to be truly sustainable in the future. That is what we are doing at Aberthaw and I was delighted to show Alun the steps we are taking in our transition to net zero.’