Britishvolt has signed the UK Steel Charter and committed to using UK-manufactured steel for its new Blyth Gigafactory.
Britishvolt has committed to using UK made steel for its £2.6bn battery Gigafactory in the UK, according to a press release by Make UK.
Demonstrating its commitment to British manufacturing and steel production, Britishvolt signed the UK Steel Charter, pledging to source UK-manufactured steel for its Gigafactory in Blyth, Northumberland.
Once opened at the end of 2023, Britishvolt’s large-scale facility — which will be constructed on the 95-hectare former site of Blyth Power Station — will have the capacity to produce more than 300,000 lithium-ion batteries for the UK automotive industry.
The Gigafactory is expected to provide 3,000 jobs for the region, as well as 5,000 more across the plant’s supply chain.
Blyth, in the North East of England, was chosen because of its excellent transport links and access to clean, renewable energy.
Make UK said the ‘development shows that the commercial sector is recognising the benefits of UK-sourced steel, strong and resilient domestic supply chains, and the numerous economic and social benefits of buying UK made steel’.
Speaking about the news, UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said:
“I am delighted that Britishvolt has signed The UK Steel Charter and with it a commitment to using UK-manufactured steel in the construction of their plant in Blyth. Using steel produced in the UK does not just make business sense. It makes social sense for providing prosperity for steel communities. It makes sense for our environmental commitments to not import steel over vast distances when it can be made here. Every pound spent on UK steel, by the private sector or by government, is a pound spent in support of UK manufacturing supply chains, UK manufacturing jobs and UK economic growth.
“Britishvolt is a prime example of the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution, and it makes sense that is therefore chosen to embed its environmental ideals in every step of this project – using steel produced on its doorstep and to the highest environmental standards. We look forward to working with them on this groundbreaking new project and other organisations that are committed to the responsible procurement of steel”.
Commenting, Peter Rolton, Britishvolt Chairman, said:
“We are delighted to sign up to the UK Steel charter. Using UK-sourced steel further strengthens our ambitions to minimise our carbon footprint and build world-class technologies in the UK. As we emerge from the pandemic, issues such as local supply chains have been thrust into the spotlight. We at Britishvolt have a mission to create some of the world’s must sustainable electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. Being part of the charter further advances our Environmental, Social and Governance ambitions”.