new project manager comes into boost carbon capture plans

The leading UK building materials supplier has appointed Tom Murphy to the role of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Project Manager.

Tom, who has a degree in Chemical Engineering, joins from Tata Chemical Europe where he was Plant Manager for a first of a kind post combustion carbon capture plant. Prior to that he has worked in research and development roles within the steel industry.

He will take a leading role in managing the introduction of a carbon capture plant at Aggregate Industries’ Cauldon Cement Plant in Staffordshire.

The project is part of the wider Peak Cluster partnership which was formed by cement and lime producers around the Derbyshire Peak District region and aims to cut collective annual carbon emissions by three million tonnes a year by 2030 - more than 600,000 tonnes of which would be cut from Cauldon.

Led by Progressive Energy, the project aims to capture and transport carbon dioxide emissions from Cauldon and other partner plants before permanently locking them away beneath the East Irish Sea in one of the storage options which the project has access to – including Liverpool Bay CCS or the recently announced Morecambe Net Zero project. 

Carbon dioxide emitted from the cement and concrete industry accounts for around a quarter of the total emissions in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, with 40% of all UK cement and lime manufactured in the Peak District and surrounding area.

Commenting on the role, Tom said: “I’m really excited to have joined Aggregate Industries at a pivotal time in its decarbonisation journey.

“Decarbonisation of the cement production process is key to both the company and the UK reaching its net zero goals so it is great to be part of this project. I’m looking forward to helping deliver the required technology to see this vision become a reality.”

Steve Curley, Managing Director of Cement at Aggregate Industries UK, said: “It is great to welcome Tom on board within the team and I am sure his experience in carbon capture will aid us in achieving our ambitions.”

For more information on Aggregate Industries’ plans to decarbonise its operations visit www.aggregate.com/sustainability