Underscoring its commitment to bolstering domestic manufacturing, sustainable materials startup Material Evolution has been awarded the Made in Britain accreditation.
The green cement firm has achieved the key British manufacturing accolade for the production of its ultra-low carbon cement, MevoCem, which is made at its Mevo A1 Production Facility based in Llay, Wrexham and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional ordinary Portland cement.
With the capacity to produce 120,000 tonnes of MevoCem per annum, the cement industry challenger brand aims to support domestic supply chains and contribute to the reduction of the UK's carbon footprint by avoiding the production of a gigaton of carbon by 2040.
Dr. Liz Gilligan, co-founder and CEO of Material Evolution, said: “Achieving the Made in Britain accreditation is an important step in demonstrating that ultra-low carbon cement can be produced at scale in the UK. With cement imports having nearly tripled over the past two decades – from 12% of UK sales in 2008 to 32% in 2024 – the UK is missing a significant opportunity to reduce emissions while supporting local industry. A resilient, domestic supply chain is vital not just for sustainability, but for economic and strategic security in infrastructure delivery.
“Current procurement frameworks too often prioritise cost over sustainability. Many ongoing large publicly funded infrastructure projects illustrate the missed potential: importing materials, increases carbon impact and limits economic benefit that could stay in the UK. Low-carbon, locally sourced materials are proven to be scalable, reliable, and economically viable - but procurement rules need to evolve to prioritise their adoption.
“To drive real change, government, regulators, and industry stakeholders must rethink how infrastructure projects are specified. By aligning policy with the capabilities of UK-made low-carbon materials, the sector can simultaneously reduce emissions, strengthen domestic supply chains and create tangible economic value. Material Evolution is ready to provide the data, insights and expertise to make this transition possible.”
Material Evolution's innovative approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional cement, aligning with the UK's broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing industrial resilience.
