Hanson is to spend GBP25m (US$31m) on upgrading its Ribblesdale cement plant to improve production efficiency and reduce emissions, AggNet reports.

The work, which includes the replacement of dust filters and the wet gas scrubber, will ensure that the facility meets new dust-emission regulations.

‘The permitted dust level is being reduced by 66 per cent in April, from 30mg/m2 to 10 – but the new equipment will perform better than this’, said Plant Manager, Terry Reynolds.

‘Although we have to make the change to continue operating, we always strive to minimise our environmental impact in how we run and maintain the plant,’ he added.