New £170m insulation factory in North Wales will deliver 140 jobs
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Flintshire has been named as the site for a new £170m factory making rock wool insulation products. Global manufacturer Knauf Insulation is to invest in a second manufacturing facility in Deeside.
The state-of-the-art site in Shotton is expected to create around 140 jobs, with more in local supply chains.
The development will produce more than 100,000 tonnes of non-combustible rock mineral wool insulation each year. It will be the first site in the UK's to incorporate a Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF), a specialised electrical heating system that has the potential to decarbonise energy-intensive rockwool production.
The move signals Knauf Group's confidence in the future growth of mineral wool markets in the UK and northern Europe. For its new plant, the company had scouted UK sites before opting for Flintshire. Knauf already has a site on Deeside, having operated its huge Chemistry Lane plant in Queensferry since the mid 1980s.
The company's announcement coincides with the UK-EU Summit taking place in London today (Monday, May 19). UK ministers are hosting the talks in the hope closer trading ties can be agreed with Europe.
Neil Hargreaves, managing director of Knauf Insulation Northern Europe, said: 'Knauf Group has a proud history of manufacturing in Wales and this project aligns with the Welsh and UK Government's commitment to sustainability and the industrial vision for North Wales and Deeside.
'Using UK-first SAF technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Knauf Insulation is the UK's largest insulation manufacturer. Founded in 1979 as a US subsidiary of German building materials giant Knauf Group, the firm employs more than 6,000 people worldwide, including 600 at its three UK manufacturing plants in Cwmbran, St Helens and Queensferry.
Last week Knauf Insulation hosted a ceremonial ground-breaking event at the company's new Shotton site. Among those taking part was Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, who said the firm's commitment to Deeside was 'great news' for North Wales.
He added: 'The plans will be a major investment in the area and are a testament to the skills and facilities we have here.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Knauf began scouting for a suitable site for its SAF development last year. Supporting Shotton's case were local leaders and the Welsh Government.
The decision to locate a second plant in the area has been welcomed by the North Wales Growth Deal, and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone
Wales Secretary Jo Stevens said the investment underscored the UK Government's commitment to economic growth through its Plan for Change - the six 'milestones' Labour wants to be judged upon at the next election.
She said it was 'fantastic news' for North Wales, adding: 'This is a vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our government's plan to make Britain the destination of choice for investment in industry.'
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