PEAK Cluster has launched a six-week consultation on plans to support the long-term sustainability of Derbyshire’s and Staffordshire’s vital cement and lime sector. The project will capture carbon dioxide (CO

) from four historic cement and lime producers across three sites in the region, transporting and storing it permanently beneath the East Irish Sea.

Peak Cluster will help to secure the future of Britain’s cement and lime industries – safeguarding and creating jobs and ensuring a reliable, ‘homemade’ supply of these essential materials.

The production of cement and lime unavoidably generates CO

– the single largest contributor to climate change. With 40% of all British cement produced in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, the industry accounts for 23% of the counties’ CO

emissions.

To meet this challenge, Peak Cluster will use carbon capture technology to lock away CO

emitted at Holcim’s Cauldon plant, Tarmac’s Tunstead cement plant, Buxton Lime’s Tunstead lime plant, and Breedon’s Hope plant. The CO

will be safely transported in a purpose-built underground pipeline to Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ), a central CO

storage facility, operated by UK energy company, Spirit Energy.

John Egan, Peak Cluster’s chief executive officer, said: ‘Peak Cluster is such an important project for Staffordshire and Derbyshire’s economy – helping to protect our vital industries and retaining the deeply ingrained skills that have been passed down through generations.

‘Connecting the Midlands and North West, MNZ | Peak Cluster will create a shared clean-growth corridor between the UK’s industrial heartlands and the offshore energy coast – accelerating decarbonization and driving regional prosperity.

‘It will be the world’s largest cement and lime decarbonization project – using proven technology to establish the UK as an international leader in responsible, sustainable manufacturing.’

Following initial studies and research, Peak Cluster is entering its first consultation phase, which will provide those who live and work around the area with an opportunity to find out more directly from the project team, ask questions and input their thoughts into the development process, helping to shape the project as it progresses.

The consultation will run until 11:59pm on 27 February 2026 and will include a range of in-person events and webinars. Full information about the project, the consultation and details on how to contact the project team, can be found on the project

.

John Egan continued: ‘This first consultation will help us shape the development of more detailed plans, which we hope to consult on again later in 2026.’

Once the proposals for this nationally significant infrastructure project are finalized, Peak Cluster aims to submit a Development Consent Order application in 2027.

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