Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Worley have moved into the execution phase of a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Heidelberg Materials’ Padeswood Cement Works in Flintshire, North Wales. Announced on 8 December, the initiative will see the UK’s first full-scale CCS facility in the cement sector, designed to capture around 800,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The project will be the first in Europe to use MHI’s Advanced KM CDR Process™, following Heidelberg Materials’ final investment decision in September 2025 under Track-1 of the UK Government’s CCUS cluster programme. Once captured, the CO2 will be transported by pipeline and permanently stored in depleted gas fields beneath Liverpool Bay as part of the HyNet North West cluster. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2029.
MHI and Worley previously completed the front-end engineering design in 2024. In this next stage, MHI and its regional representative MHI-EMEA will handle engineering and procurement for the CO2 capture technology and associated plant equipment, including compressors. Worley will provide engineering, procurement and construction management for the remaining site infrastructure.
Cement production accounts for 7–8% of global CO2 emissions, most of which stem from the calcination process and cannot be reduced through energy switching. CCS is therefore considered the only viable route to achieving full decarbonisation within the sector.
Tatsuto Nagayasu, Senior Vice President (CCUS) of GX Solutions at MHI, said: “We are proud to support Heidelberg Materials in realizing the UK’s first full-scale carbon capture facility in the cement sector… this project will play a leading role in decarbonizing one of the most challenging industrial sectors. Together with Worley, we look forward to delivering this landmark CCS facility that will contribute to the long-term resilience of UK industry and help fulfill the country’s net zero ambitions.”
Heidelberg Materials UK CEO Simon Willis added: “This is the next major milestone in our plans to build the UK’s first carbon capture facility at a cement works… their proven track record in delivering this type of complex facility, makes them the perfect partner to take our groundbreaking project to the next stage.”
Worley’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Ashton, said: “This project is a landmark for industrial decarbonisation in the UK and Europe and part of the HyNet carbon capture cluster… Our role in this project reflects our ability to enable sustainable industrial solutions and leverage our global expertise in delivery for complex energy and infrastructure projects.”
The scheme is expected to create around 50 new permanent jobs, safeguard more than 200 existing roles, and support up to 500 jobs during construction. As part of the HyNet cluster, the project will also help expand the UK’s long-term carbon management infrastructure, enabling Heidelberg Materials to supply low-carbon cement to the construction industry from 2029.
About Heidelberg Materials
Heidelberg Materials is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in more than 50 countries with around 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 locations. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.
heidelbergmaterials.com
In the UK, Heidelberg Materials (formerly Hanson UK) is split into five business lines – aggregates (crushed rock, sand and gravel), concrete, asphalt and contracting, cement and recycling – which together operate over 300 manufacturing sites and employ more than 4,000 people. The company is leading the decarbonisation of the cement sector through carbon capture and storage and has reached a final investment decision with the UK Government to build the world’s first carbon capture facility to enable fully decarbonised cement production at its Padeswood works in north Wales. Construction is underway and the new facility will enable the production of evoZero carbon captured near-zero cement in 2029.
heidelbergmaterials.co.uk
About Worley
Worley is a leading global professional services company of energy, chemicals, and resources experts. We partner with customers to deliver projects and create value over the life of their assets. We’re bridging two worlds, moving towards more sustainable energy sources, while helping to provide the energy, chemicals and resources needed now. Worley Limited is headquartered in Australia and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: WOR).
www.worley.com
About MHI Group’s CO2 capture technologies
MHI Group has been developing the “KM CDR Process™” (Kansai Mitsubishi Carbon Dioxide Recovery Process) and the “Advanced KM CDR Process™” in collaboration with The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. since 1990. As of December 2025, the Company has delivered 18 plants adopting these processes, and two more is currently under execution. The Advanced KM CDR Process™ adopts the “KS-21™” solvent, which offers superior regeneration efficiency and lower deterioration than the “KS-1™”, and has been verified to provide excellent energy saving performance and reduced operating costs.
