Construction has started on what wienerberger has labelled as the “world’s first fully electric tunnel kiln” for the manufacturing of clay roof tiles.
The project is underway at wienerberger UK & Ireland’s Broomfleet roof tile manufacturing site in East Yorkshire. The electric kiln will replace the existing natural-gas-powered firing processes at the site, a move the company expects will reduce Scope 1 carbon emissions from this factory production line by 75 per cent.
“The start of construction at Broomfleet represents a pivotal step in our journey to decarbonise heavy clay manufacturing. Factory e demonstrates how electrification can deliver substantial carbon emission reductions while maintaining product quality, operational resilience and long‑term competitiveness,” wienerberger UK & Ireland chief operating officer Keith Barker said.
“Alongside our hydrogen brick kiln project at Denton, it underlines our multi‑technology approach to achieving net zero and our commitment to building for what’s next.”
The £37 million investment, with £4.3 million funded through the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF), is a critical part of wienerberger’s net-zero strategy.
The electric kiln will be located in “Factory e”, which will replace a disused factory line at Broomfleet, with the old manufacturing equipment to be completely replaced. This will ensure the transition to electric firing will not interrupt current production. Key equipment has already arrived on site, with extensive civil engineering works in progress.
The Factory e project is planned to be completed in 2027. This includes the complete delivery of the fully electric kiln tunnels, associated upgrades, and training to upskill the production and engineering team. Once operational, the electrified line will primarily manufacture plain tiles and related accessories.
“Factory e will fundamentally change how roof tiles are made at Broomfleet. We are installing the first electric kiln of its kind for clay roof tiles, alongside modern automation and control technology that improves safety, efficiency and consistency,” wienerberger UK & Ireland operations director Mark Brook said.
“The same raw materials will be used, and extensive trials and testing give us confidence that product quality will remain unchanged. We are also investing significantly in our site workforce, creating development opportunities as we upskill teams to use the latest technology.”
