Metalcraft of Chatteris secures contract potentially worth £47 million to produce Sellafield nuclear waste containers

A Chatteris manufacturer is celebrating after being awarded a contract potentially worth £47 million to provide waste storage containers for the Sellafield nuclear site.

Stainless Metalcraft is one of two manufacturers who will equally share the contract. Phase one of the project, worth between £5.25m and £8m, covers the set up and development of a production facility that will produce more than 1,000 nuclear waste storage boxes.

Metalcraft’s initial contract is for 1,100 containers but it is estimated that there will be follow-on contracts for many more units over the coming years to meet the demands of Sellafield’s decommissioning programme.

Austen Adams, managing director of Stainless Metalcraft and Avingtrans PLC’s Energy and Medical Division, said: “This is fantastic news for the business.

“The company already has a strong track record in the nuclear sector and this contract will not only secure jobs at our Chatteris facility but will also see the creation of a world-class, dedicated facility for the manufacture of containers, which should see more jobs created as expected volumes grow.

“This is a landmark contract for the business and we’re genuinely excited by the potential it offers.

“Since joining the Civil Nuclear Sharing in Growth programme just over 12 months ago, the team has invested a huge amount of time and effort to develop their understanding of the decommissioning process, honing the skills and processes required among the team, and this contract is just reward for all their hard work.”

Sellafield Ltd. commercial director Robert Astall said: “Sellafield Ltd is delighted to announce Metalcraft as the successful company.

“They were chosen because of the quality and price they could offer to fulfil the contract to the exacting standards required to store nuclear waste.”