Global non-combustible insulation manufacturer, Rockwool, has signed an agreement to buy 114 acres (46 hectares) of land at Peddimore, north east of Birmingham, with plans to build a ‘state-of-the-art’ manufacturing facility there featuring proprietary electric melting technology for its stone wool insulation products.
The new factory would boost supply capacity for the company’s UK and Republic of Ireland customers, and support its ‘ambitious global sustainability plans’. Rockwool said: “This significant investment would also create skilled long-term jobs and local supply chain opportunities, and help both in achieving the UK’s Net Zero targets, and in creating a safer and more sustainable built environment through our portfolio of non-combustible and recyclable stone wool insulation products.”
The Peddimore site, designated specifically for manufacturing use, is included in Birmingham City Council’s Development Plan, and has outline planning permission for a manufacturing facility. Key infrastructure – including a new access road and roundabout into the site – is already in place, servicing an adjacent facility built in 2023.
In the coming weeks, Rockwool will begin consulting with the community about its plans, including at open house events. It will then submit applications to Birmingham City Council to adapt the existing planning permissions to its specific proposal.
Nick Wilson, MD of Rockwool UK & Ireland, said: “We’re very excited at the opportunity to expand the business into the West Midlands – - which would enable us to boost our UK production capacity and create quality jobs and business opportunities in the local community. During the past 45 years, we have built a strong foundation at our site in South Wales, where we will continue to manufacture and invest for the long-term, and are now looking to build on that success with a second manufacturing plant at the Peddimore site.
“The West Midlands has a skilled local workforce, a strong manufacturing tradition, and excellent transport links, so is an ideal location for us to expand our business in the UK and bolster our service to customers in the Midlands, the north of England, and Scotland. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans with the local community, and are fully committed to being a good neighbour and partner for the Minworth and wider West Midlands community.”
The image shows an artist’s impression of the new manufacturing facility.
