holcim uk celebrates major milestone at tilbury cement terminal as civil works complete

Holcim UK has reached a pivotal milestone in the construction of its flagship Tilbury Cement Terminal with the successful completion of all civil engineering works.

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This marks a key point in the multi-million-pound project, as structural and mechanical installation begins on one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the UK.

Located at the Port of Tilbury on the River Thames, the state-of-the-art terminal is central to Holcim UK’s long-term strategy to redefine sustainable construction through innovation, circularity, and decarbonisation.

The three-year construction project has seen the successful completion of all excavation, foundations, buried utilities and site roads. The next phase, comprising the structural and mechanical installation of site wide materials handling and processing systems, will be delivered by Wright Brothers Industrial Services Limited.

Other key features across the site are also taking form, with Collinson Construction installing the storage hall superstructure, and Dome Technology moving into its structural and mechanical installation phase for the site’s innovative dome silo storage solution. This unique structure is central to facility operations, designed to store up to 30,000 tonnes of cement.

Every element of the build to date reflects Holcim UK’s commitment to sustainability. Materials excavated from the site have been reused either in the construction process itself, or in Holcim manufacturing plants. Meanwhile, the civil works have used the firm’s own portfolio of lower carbon products, including ECOPact ready-mix concrete, recycled aggregates, concrete paving and reclaimed asphalt.

In total, more than 25,000m³ of concrete from the original site have been reused, alongside 10,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt planings. Plus, nearly 20,000 tonnes of excavated material has been processed through Holcim’s waste management business.

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Designed to support growing demand for cementitious materials across the region, Tilbury Terminal will serve as a key distribution hub for Holcim’s cement and lower carbon alternative materials supply.

Tim Fry, Project Manager, Holcim UK, said: “Tilbury plays a crucial role in strengthening our ability to meet the evolving needs of the construction sector across the South East and beyond.

“This site will enhance our supply resilience and agility, with the capacity and connectivity to deliver the right materials, at the right time, with the lowest possible environmental impact.”

Lee Sleight, CEO, Holcim UK, added: “This milestone represents more than just construction progress - it demonstrates our commitment to building a future that is low carbon, circular, and resilient. 

“Tilbury embodies our strategy in action: bringing together innovation, sustainability, and scale to shape the next generation of construction in the UK.”