North Wales is set to benefit from a major boost in employment and manufacturing as Knauf Insulation announces a £170 million investment in a new cutting-edge production facility in
Shotton. The development will create around 140 direct jobs, with additional opportunities expected in the local supply chain.
The new factory will produce over 100,000 tonnes of non-combustible rock mineral wool insulation annually. It will use UK-first Submerged Arc Furnace technology to manufacture sustainable, low-carbon, recyclable insulation products. This aligns with UK and Welsh government priorities on green industry and energy efficiency.
The announcement coincides with the UK-EU Summit, reflecting broader efforts by the UK Government to promote economic growth and attract inward investment through its “Plan for Change.”
Leaders welcome the investment
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “This £170 million investment by Knauf Insulation is fantastic news for North Wales and our UK Government mission to drive economic growth.
This is a vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our government’s plan to make Britain the destination of choice for investment in industry”.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “This is great news for North Wales. The plans will be a major investment in the area and are a testament to the skills and facilities we have here.
This positive announcement is the start of the journey and we will continue to provide support as the work to deliver the project gets underway”.
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said: “The UK is open for business, and this is yet another vote of confidence in North Wales and its thriving advanced manufacturing sector which will boost jobs and prosperity across the region.
Our modern Industrial Strategy, which will prioritise advanced manufacturing as one of eight key UK sectors, will help us go further by attracting even more investment, creating new opportunity across the country and making our Plan for Change a reality”.
Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director of Knauf Insulation Northern Europe said:
“Knauf Group has a proud history of manufacturing in Wales and this project aligns with the Welsh and UK Government’s commitment to sustainability and the industrial vision for North Wales and Deeside.
Using UK-First Submerged Arc Furnace technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings”.
The investment has been made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of the UK and Welsh Governments, as well as local leadership. It also benefits from regional initiatives such as the North Wales Growth Deal and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone.
Knauf’s expansion marks a significant step in strengthening North Wales as a hub for sustainable industrial innovation. Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.