The company is poised to position itself as the main material supplier to the UK cement and concrete industry
THE new chief executive of Power Minerals Ltd (PML) says the company is ready to position itself as a key materials supplier to the UK cement and concrete industries – and a key enabler of sustainable construction.
Carl Platt, who took over as CEO of the fly ash pioneer this month, says the company's $50 million-plus processing plant project in collaboration with Drax Power Station in Yorkshire represents the launch pad for a new era – one in which the company moves from trading to production.
With significant further investment also being explored, the company aims to become one of the UK's key complementary cementitious materials (SCM) suppliers, supported by its international group connections to enable sustainable concrete solutions.
Mr Platt said: “It is a hugely exciting time to be taking over the leadership of PML. Our partnership with Drax will create a new facility that will give us a significant position as a manufacturer in the cement sector.”
“I expect this will be the first in a series of investments that will position PML as one of the key materials suppliers to the UK cement and concrete industries and also pave the way into the sustainable world of concrete.”
PML is part of the EP Power Minerals Group, the European competence leader in the management of cementitious materials, blasting media and industrial waste.
Founded in 2003, PML is the UK's leading independent supplier of power station by-products, specializing in pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and furnace bottom ash for the construction, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
However, the project currently under construction with Drax represents a significant new investment by the European parent company and a long-term ambition to reposition the company.
Mr Platt continued: “Analysis currently suggests the UK is at the bottom of the construction cycle and the concrete market is at its lowest level in 65 years, despite major projects such as HS2.”
“However, we see this as a good time to invest at this level – our aim is to strategically reposition the company and build long-term growth.”
The factory being built by PML in Drax will produce up to 400,000 tonnes of low carbon cementitious fly ash per year.
And according to Mr Platt, the project is just the beginning of PML's ambitions.
“EP Power Minerals has assets in the UK, Germany and Benelux, which give us access to significant supply and shipping capacity,” he said. “I want to leverage the group’s resources and reputation to refocus on the broader cement market and enable sustainable concrete solutions for concrete manufacturers.”
“PML already has a reputation for having a talented team that delivers industry-leading service to its customers. Investment will allow us to build on this expertise as the company evolves from an organization to a manufacturer.
“We expect to become a key material supplier to the cement and concrete industries and a key enabler as these sectors face the challenge of achieving their sustainability goals.”
Mr Platt, who began his career in the cement sector in 1993, joins EP Power Minerals from Fosroc International Ltd, where he was Regional Vice President for Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.