The new plasterboard factory at ABP’s Port of Newport will be used to store gypsum, which will be delivered by ship before being used for the manufacture of plasterboard. The factory will benefit from green power generated by ABP’s onsite renewables, including wind and solar sources. ABP, together with multiple European-based inward investors, has invested around GB£23m in the facility. Welsh Government has also contributed GB£750,000.
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.”
Port-centric manufacturing cuts carbon
Construction of the new factory is planned to commence in April 2021 and will be delivered by Bridgend-based Knights Brown.
This project demonstrates ABP’s capability to deliver flexible port-centric manufacturing and distribution solutions to customers, whilst minimising costs and carbon emissions.
Ralph Windeatt, ABP Group head of business development, added: “Port-centric manufacturing and distribution has the potential to reduce cost and carbon in our customers’ supply-chain by reducing the need for in-land transport, additional handling and building a more sustainable supply chain at the centre of arterial transport networks. We believe that port-centric solutions will create opportunities for significant future investment and business growth around our ports.”
The facility will create around 60 jobs for the regional economy.
