Bill Esterson MP, shadow industry minister, has visited Tarmac’s flagship Tunstead site near Buxton, Derbyshire, to tour the combined quarrying, cement and lime manufacturing operation, one of the largest in the UK. Mr Esterson was accompanied by Jon Pearce, the Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for High Peak.
Established in the 1920s, the site is of strategic national importance due to being the biggest supplier of lime and lime-based products in the country. It is one of the most significant employers in the local area and is taking a leading role in adopting technological innovations and approaches which support decarbonisation.
Most recently this has included taking part in the world’s first net zero hydrogen trial – funded by the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – which demonstrated the significant potential to use hydrogen as a viable fuel alternative to natural gas for the commercial-scale production of lime.
Peter Butterworth, Tarmac’s director of Lime & Powders, said: “Cement and lime are essential materials for our economy and way of life. The cement used in concrete enables the development of infrastructure including schools, hospitals and new homes, and lime plays a vital role in everything from water purification, land remediation and power generation to the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
“Collaborative working with policy makers has a key role to play as industry continues its decarbonisation journey and it was a pleasure to welcome Bill Esterson MP and Jon Pearce to our Tunstead site. It was great to be able to showcase the national importance, history and scale of our operations, alongside valuable discussions on the latest technological innovations and ambitions which are supporting the vital transition to net zero.”
Bill Esterson MP added: “It was great to visit Tarmac’s plant in Tunstead. Tarmac are doing vital work in the drive towards decarbonisation in such a crucial sector. Labour fully supports their work in creating jobs and bringing green prosperity to Buxton. Innovative firms like Tarmac are crucial for spreading wealth and opportunity across the country, tackling stubborn interregional inequalities.”
