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Construction to start at new plasterboard factory in Newport
Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced that construction on a new plasterboard factory at the Port of Newport is set to begin in April, bringing around 60 new full-time jobs to the area once operational.
The new facility will be used to store gypsum, which will be delivered by ship before being used for the manufacture of plasterboard. This will eliminate the need to transport raw materials from the port to an in-land factory by road, which will help reduce CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the factory will benefit from green power generated by ABP’s on-site renewables, including wind and solar sources.
As part of the project, ABP, together with a number of European-based inward investors, has invested around £23m to create the new facility in Newport. The Welsh government has also contributed £750,000 in support of the project. Construction of the new factory is planned to commence in April 2021 and will be delivered by Bridgend-based contractor Knights Brown.
Construction at a new plasterboard factory in Newport is due to start next month, creating 60 new jobs once opened / Picture: Knights Brown
Andrew Harston, ABP director for Wales and Short Sea Ports, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this inward investment opportunity to the Port of Newport, as the first major project in our port-centric manufacturing strategy.
“This project, which combines the use of brownfield development land, deep water shipping, rail transport and renewable energy is a fantastic example of the solution we can offer. We look forward to working with our contractor Knights Brown to deliver the facility, which will create around 60 jobs for the regional economy.”
Andrew Eilbeck, divisional director for Knights Brown, added: “The design and construction of this sizeable manufacturing facility will be a flagship project both for us as a Wales-based regional contractor and our local supply chain partners.
“We’re very happy to be working with ABP in the Port of Newport, building on our successful relationship established both locally in Wales and elsewhere in the UK, which we feel is testament to our collaborative approach to project delivery. We look forward to making a start on construction next month.”