Material Evolution aims to produce 120,000 tonnes of low-carbon cement annually A low-carbon cement firm could be a step on the way to north Wales becoming the “green hub of Europe,” its boss has claimed. Material Evolution produces cement at its Wrexham base that it claims has 85% fewer emissions than many traditional products. Co-founder Dr Liz Gilligan said the location and area’s industrial heritage made it the perfect place “for the industries of the future to be built from the knowledge of the past”. Some experts agree north Wales has the potential to become a big player in decarbonisation, but vast investment and a faster planning process would be needed. Cement binds the sand and aggregate in concrete together and concrete is the world’s most widely used material after water. It is also a major driver of climate change. Limestone is heated to 1,600C (2,900F), often in giant kilns powered by fossil fuels, driving out carbon dioxide. It is estimated every tonne of cement produces an equal amount of carbon dioxide, but Material Evolution says its ultra-low carbon cement, MevoCem, uses no heat. It uses a process called alkali fusion, which it said uses chemical reactions to activate waste materials without heat. The plant, in Llay, aims to produce 120,000 tonnes of low-carbon cement per year. Dr Liz Gilligan admits there is no “silver bullet” to solving climate change, but producing low-carbon cement is just one element that could help Dr Gilligan added: “For me, the really exciting thing about north Wales is its industrial past, the exciting heavy industries that have always been there. “And I think that comes with a culture of understanding technologies, how you scale industry. I really do believe that north Wales can become the green hub of Europe. “I think it has […]