Ecocem and Peel Ports launch £2m bulk import terminal at Runcorn Docks

Cement manufacturer Ecocem Ireland has teamed up with port operator Peel Ports to launch a £2m bulk handling facility in Cheshire.

The import terminal, located in Runcorn along the Manchester Ship Canal, is Ecocem Ireland’s first UK site.

Developed alongside Peel Ports, the centre marks a new push by the Dublin-based firm to tap into the UK’s thriving construction sector.

Ecocem Ireland, a manufacturer of ground granulated blastfurnace slag, or GGBS, will import cement made in its production facility at Dublin Port to the Runcorn Docks, from where it will be distributed across the UK via rail, road and water.

GGBS has already been used in a number of UK construction projects, including the Olympic Stadium and The Shard in London, and One St Peter’s Square in Manchester.

Ecocem Ireland’s managing director, Conor O’Riain, said: “We’ve invested in state of the art equipment to demonstrate to the market that we are here for the long term, and I’m delighted to say that the response from the market has been phenomenal.

“We’ve made commitments to sell more in the UK in our first year than our total domestic sales in 2016.”

The firm’s first UK investment comes as part of a wider strategy to boost exports from its core facilities in Ireland.

Peel Ports Group’s director of group land and property, Andrew Martin, commented: “We are delighted to be working with the Ecocem team to enable and support their entry into the UK market.

“We have been able to provide a multi-site solution that will accelerate the delivery of product as close as possible to the end customer.”

The launch of the terminal follows a further £2m investment from Peel to boost capacity at the Port of Runcorn.

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