Drax has announced a 20-year joint venture agreement with Power Minerals Limited (PML) to develop a state-of-the-art factory that will process millions of tonnes of legacy ash into Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM), a key component in low-carbon green cement.
The new facility will be located adjacent to the Drax Power Station site on land leased from Drax. The power station, now converted to biomass, is the UK's largest renewable electricity generator, capable of supplying around five million homes with power.
Under the agreement, PML will build, own, and operate the new factory. Drax will supply its legacy Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) to the joint venture, provide power to the site, and share in the profits from the SCM sales. Drax anticipates the project could generate approximately £5 million in incremental adjusted EBITDA annually from 2027 to 2046.
Production at the new facility is expected to commence by the end of 2026, with an initial annual production capacity of 400,000 tonnes.
The cement industry is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, accounting for around 8% annually. Over the project's duration, PML estimates that using PFA from Drax can reduce CO2 emissions by at least 6 million tonnes compared to using conventional cements.
Lee Dawes, Drax's Chief Operations Officer, described the deal as a landmark for both Drax and the UK construction industry. "Cement production is one of the most carbon intensive processes in the world and through this partnership, we will be able to help the construction industry cut its carbon emissions in the years ahead. Drax Power Station is integral to the country's energy security and now through this new agreement it can play a further role in reducing carbon emissions in UK construction as well. The opportunity to sell large volumes of PFA from Drax Power Station as part of a long-term JV is another way in which we can realise incremental value from the site whilst helping to reduce carbon emissions. It is an exciting time for Drax as we continue to develop options for long-term investment in the site, including BECCS and a data centre."
Nigel Waldron, PML's Managing Director, said: "We are proud to have pioneered the use of ashes from Drax for more than 20 years, and now we are delighted to be a part of this major investment, securing a long-term future for our business and our relationship with Drax for decades to come."
Nils Jansen, Head of Cementitious Materials at PML's parent company, EP Power Minerals GmbH, added: "This substantial investment and its projected returns represent a game-changer not only for PML, but for the entire EPPM Cementitious Materials business. This positions us to become the leading player in the UK fly ash market for the foreseeable future."
Ash from the power station was historically deposited at the nearby Barlow Mound. The mound will be retained at its current height along the west and southwest of the site to preserve views for local residents. The remainder of the mound will be extracted to surrounding ground levels and then restored, with a focus on retaining existing vegetation, using native plant species, creating wetlands, providing equivalent or improved habitats, and establishing a recreational pathway through the restored landscape.
Construction News
27/03/2025
Drax And Power Minerals Partner For Low-Carbon Cement Production


28/03/2025
Network Rail is set to undertake a significant £11.5 million project to upgrade the Far North Line this summer, aiming to improve the reliability of rail services for passengers.
The work will involve refurbishing a 5-mile section of track between Brora and Helmsdale and replacing almost 9 miles of

28/03/2025
Tim Balcon, CEO at CITB, responded positively to the statement, highlighting the £600 million package for construction skills aimed at supporting the Government's homebuilding targets, and the £2 billion investment in affordable homes to accelerate delivery.
Balcon specifically welcomed the £32 mil

28/03/2025
Environment-enhancing projects across Glasgow are set to benefit from £732,000, thanks to penalties collected through the city's Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Eighteen organisations have been awarded grants ranging between £20,000 and £50,000 from the council's LEZ Community Support Fund. These funds wi

28/03/2025
East Renfrewshire Council has approved a roads maintenance programme that will utilise an additional investment of £3.5 million to improve the condition of residential roads and pavements over the next financial year.
The 2025/26 programme will allocate the extra funding to resurface 45 roads and 1

28/03/2025
Shetland Islands Council has approved a new Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) to promote greener homes, buildings, and businesses across the isles over the next five years.
The strategy aims to improve the quality of life for residents and address fuel poverty. Shetland Islands Coun

28/03/2025
SSEN Transmission has launched a significant procurement process, seeking applications from both new and existing contractors to deliver key elements of substation development as part of its RIIO-T3 and networks renewals investment programme, and beyond.
The framework agreement, now open for pre-qu

28/03/2025
Clark Contracts has announced the completion of a new £5 million B&Q store in Galashiels, Tweedbank. The purpose-built store is designed with a strong focus on sustainability.
To celebrate the store's opening, representatives from Clark Contracts, including the project team, joined B&Q unit manager

28/03/2025
SNIPEF, the Plumbing and Heating Federation, has joined forces with Warmur, a leading provider of heating and energy training, to deliver the industry-leading Hydronics Unlocked course in Scotland.
This partnership aims to equip plumbing and heating professionals with specialist expertise in low-te

27/03/2025
Drax has announced a 20-year joint venture agreement with Power Minerals Limited (PML) to develop a state-of-the-art factory that will process millions of tonnes of legacy ash into Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM), a key component in low-carbon green cement.
The new facility will be locate

27/03/2025
More than 120 road safety improvement projects across Scotland are set to receive funding from the Scottish Government, with a total of £10 million allocated from the Road Safety Improvement Fund to local councils. The initiatives aim to address safety concerns on Scotland's local road network and u