NEWS
Redcar Bulk Terminal could be the site of a new 150-job pellet plant .
‘ GREEN STEEL ’ FIRM CONSIDERS REDCAR FOR £ 1BN PLANT
Redcar Bulk Terminal ( RBT ) has been earmarked as a possible site for a steel firm ’ s proposed pellet plant – bringing with it 150 jobs .
RBT has been shortlisted by Norwegian “ green steel ” firm Blastr to make direct reduction ( DR ) pellets , which would be used as feedstock for the company ’ s ultra-low C02 steel plant at Inkoo , Finland .
About half of the pellets would go to the Finnish plant , with the rest sold to Cargill Metals for distribution to the growing world market for DR pellets .
Blastr has signed a letter of intent with RBT in connection with the proposed £ 1bn plant . However , a final decision isn ’ t due until 2025 .
Blastr previously announced it was exploring Gildeskål municipality in Norway as a location for its pellet plant , but that option stalled after the Norwegian grid authority
UK ’ s first lithium battery site approved for Teesside
The UK ’ s first large-scale lithium refinery has been approved for Teesside .
Green Lithium has received planning permission for the 58-acre development , which will support 1,200 jobs in its construction and create 250 full-time roles once operational .
Bosses say the facility – on PD Ports ’ Teesport site – will provide much-needed support to the automotive and battery manufacturing industries in the UK and the EU , as the demand for lithium processing capabilities increases due to the global shift to electric vehicles ( EVs ).
Green Lithium says it is committed to establishing leading environmental , social and governance credentials , including reducing its carbon footprint and emissions .
The refinery will use low-energy processes , renewable electricity , hydrogen gas and carbon capture technology to achieve a 75 per cent lower carbon footprint
confirmed the firm wouldn ’ t receive the required grid capacity in time . Blastr , therefore , continues to explore alternative locations for its pellet plant in both Norway and the UK .
Blastr Green Steel CEO Hans Fredrik Wittusen said : “ RBT is an attractive location , offering access to a deep-water port , good grid connection and access to the required utilities . The Teesside industrial region offers potential synergies with companies developing green industries , including nearterm projects to expand offshore wind , hydrogen , and the development of the Net Zero Teesside industrial cluster .”
Blastr plans to decide on the plant ’ s location during the second half of 2023 to enable detailed engineering and permitting to begin , with the final investment decision likely in 2025 and the start of operations in 2027 .
The proposed lithium refinery , which would provide much-needed support to the automotive and battery manufacturing industries .
than traditional refineries . The plant will also use a non-acid leach process that has low environmental impact , making it a sustainable and low-carbon refining process .
Green Lithium ’ s aim is to set higher environmental standards within the industry and support the acceleration of the adoption of EVs and sustainable energy storage .
The firm has secured £ 13m of funding and is raising further capital .
BUSINESS BITES
RECRUITMENT DRIVE A Teesside-based construction management firm has been enjoying fast growth after recording a nearly three-fold increase in sales in the last two financial years .
Stockton-based Wade Construction Management Consultants has expanded its skilled workforce from four to 31 at more than 11 UK sites .
The firm is focused on further growth after securing a six-figure investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance , which is managed by FW Capital and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund .
50 YEARS IN BUSINESS A Teesside engineering firm is celebrating half a century in business .
K Home International was established by Ken Home OBE in Thornaby in 1973 , and since then has worked on projects across the world , offering engineering design and project management services for industrial plants .
Ken has since retired and the firm is now run by his sons , Andrew and Michael .
Michael said : “ One of our main sources of pride is having given employment to so many people over the years .”
K2 SCALE NEW HEIGHTS A company tasked with the responsibility of delivering the £ 450m SeAH Wind project has opened its new strategic headquarters in Middlesbrough .
K2 Construction Management started work in the region less than 12 months ago and already employs more than 45 people , with a further 400 currently working through its local supply chain on-site at Teesworks .
Locally , K2 is best known as the principal contractor , project manager and designer of the world ’ s largest monopile factory on behalf of South Korean firm SeAH Wind .
EXPO RETURNS The North East of England Process Industry Cluster ’ s ( NEPIC ) Meet the Members Expo and Conference is returning in October .
Now in its 13th year , Meet the Members is the North-East ’ s largest process industry expo , previously attended by more than 600 delegates from sectors including manufacturing , pharmaceuticals and renewables .
Investors , manufacturers and suppliers from across the region flock to the event , with nearly 90 exhibitors each year .
This year ’ s event will be held on Thursday October 5 in Hardwick Hall ’ s Grand Marquee .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 17