A new £35m cement import facility in North-west England is set to support growth in the UK’s construction sector and help to reduce carbon emissions.

The partnership between Peel Ports Group and Medcem will create a deep-water terminal at the former P&O site at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool.

This investment comes as the government looks to boost construction and build 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliament.

Construction work on the terminal is scheduled to begin this month, with completion anticipated by mid-2026. The initial phase will feature four silos with a combined storage capacity of 45,000 tonnes, designed to handle cement and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

SCMs, like fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag, are key components in producing low-carbon concrete, reducing reliance on traditional Portland cement and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The 5.75-acre site allows for future expansion and increased storage capacity in subsequent phases.

Enver Celikbas, business development and investments director at Medcem, said: “This new terminal significantly strengthens our presence in the UK market, consolidating our position as the leading provider of low-carbon cement and cementitious materials in Europe.

“The logistical advantages of Liverpool allow us to enhance our ability to accommodate large vessels and product handling. This strengthens our supply chain, ensuring a more efficient and reliable service for our clients across the region.”

Andrew Martin, group development director at Peel Ports Group, added: “Logistics and construction are deeply interconnected, and by creating smarter, more sustainable import hubs like this one, we can help building firms secure the materials they need. Modern ports like ours do far more than handle cargo over the quayside.

“We offer processing and storage facilities that streamline construction logistics, reduce road freight, and accelerate delivery timelines. This project reinforces Liverpool’s role as a base for investment that can drive regional, national and international growth, while opening up new employment opportunities and creating for a sustainable future for the City Region.”