Hanson Cement

Hanson Cement was a cement production company located in the United Kingdom. It was called Castle Cement until it was rebranded in 2009. The company is now owned by HeidelbergCement, with the UK business managed by Heidelberg Materials UK. Hanson Cement has a long history dating back to the early 19th century, when it was founded as the Portland Cement Company.

History

The company was formed in 1981 through an amalgamation of three firms:

Tunnel Portland Cement Company Ltd with plants at West Thurrock, Essex, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire and Padeswood, Flintshire.
Ketton Portland Cement Company Ltd with a plant at Ketton, Rutland.
Ribblesdale Cement Ltd with a plant at Clitheroe, Lancashire.

In 2005, the company's depot in Birmingham was sold and subsequently redeveloped as Curzon Gate.
The company was acquired by Heidelberg Materials in May 2007.

Environmental concerns

The company admitted to numerous environmental offences over the years leading up to 2009, during a case in which it was fined £250,000 by the Environment Agency Wales in February 2010.

Operations

The head office was in Castle Hill at Maidenhead in Berkshire, and the works are located in Ketton in Rutland, Buckley in Flintshire, Clitheroe and Avonmouth near Bristol. The company had a marine terminal at Avonmouth that is used for the importation of cement in bulk, with samples from there tested at the Ketton site's laboratory each week to ensure they meet British Standards. Cement was also imported through the Humber ports.