Ecocem, a Dublin-based cement producer, has opened its first UK bulk import terminal along the Manchester Ship Canal, built in partnership with Peel Ports at Runcorn.

The new bulk import facility on a one-acre plot will handle cement from Ecocem’s production facility in Dublin Port. From the Runcorn site, it will be processed and transported direct to UK construction projects via road, rail and water.

Conor O’Riain, managing director of Ecocem Ireland, said: “We’ve invested in state of the art equipment to demonstrate to the market that we are here for the long term, and I’m delighted to say that the response from the market has been phenomenal.

“We’ve made commitments to sell more in the UK in our first year than our total domestic sales in 2016.”

A further GBP2m has been committed to increase capacity at the Runcorn Docks site, to meet the growing demands of the market.