Recent News

We have launched our updated website! Providing additional insight to the capabilities and skills that the Amber Precast team possesses to deliver complex, extreme environment, highly regulated products for the nuclear and similar industries, the new website is a comprehensive showcase for the business as it grows from strength to strength.

Back in May 2017, we were awarded a significant and ground-breaking contract by Magnox, an arm of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Group, to support the UK’s nuclear decommissioning programme.

Following a commercial competition and selection process, we were awarded the contract to redesign and manufacture the Magnox 6m³ Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB), which will be used to store intermediate level radioactive wastes currently being retrieved at decommissioning nuclear power stations across the UK.

The project journey began with a detailed study of how such a container must be manufactured and who could support the manufacture of this critical component from the wider supply chain. Several companies were considered. These were then narrowed down to a handful who could offer the quality and consistency required for such a demanding project. Of the 1,010 concrete boxes contracted by Magnox, we have now manufactured over three quarters of the total supply.

The 100th RCB was completed in August 2020 and was a major manufacturing milestone for us and a fantastic achievement for everyone in the project team both at Amber Precast, Magnox and the wider supply chain. Box 100, along with all others, has undergone a stringent manufacturing and quality assurance process, culminating in a first-class package ready for use in this demanding environment.

This celebrated 100th RCB was chosen to continue its ground-breaking journey and was selected by Magnox to become its first RCB to be filled with intermediate level waste. It was transported to its interim home at a secure, purpose-built storage facility at Berkeley where it was subsequently filled with ILW, the waste immobilised with cementitious grout and then the lid of the container wet poured and cured to complete the first active package.

Simon Derrick, Senior Project Manager for Magnox, said: “It’s important for Magnox to create opportunities for the UK supply chain. We want to do this not only to support economic growth but also to collaborate with experts and innovators to ensure we can effectively, safely, and efficiently deliver our mission to decommission the UK’s nuclear fleet. With the support of our supply chain, we can successfully and safely manage our wastes.”

We have now cast over 286 6m³ Robust Concrete Boxes (RCBs) in addition to 59 Shielded Overpacks. This is a significant milestone as it represents one third of the contracted supply for Magnox. The picture to the right shows the Amber Precast Facility with a number of 6m³ Reinforced Concrete Boxes (RCBs).

We have now cast over 200 normal density 6m³ Reinforced Concrete Boxes (RCBs) in addition to 40 Shielded Overpacks. During this period, the team has also successfully cast the first high density (HD) 6m³ RCB (10th November 2020). We have a further 149 units to manufacture to deliver to deliver the total of 150 units required by Magnox.

We have successfully cast the 100th Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) for Magnox. This is a major milestone for the team and a fantastic achievement for everyone associated with this project!

We have successfully implemented revised COVID-19 working arrangements that are compliant with Government Guidelines and have returned to manufacturing operations with the first 6m³ RCB cast since lock-down on the 13th July. We are proud of the way the team has responded to ensure that we can move back to the “new normal” in a safe, efficient and productive way.

Following our success in undertaking the prototype development of the 6m³ RCB and being awarded the sole supply contract, the team has been busy developing a new range of fibre reinforced concrete containers with design partners that offer the waste consigner unrivalled flexibility at a market beating price.

These innovative designs have been recognised by UK Waste Consigners and we have been awarded a contract to develop the container range.

We have refocused our offering to support advanced cementitious technologies and products, in particular to provide concrete products for complex, extreme environments where quality and manufacturing skills are far more demanding than the traditional sector norm. The precast concrete and cast stone manufacturer in support of building sector has been sold off.