Newport Firm Braithwaite Engineers Builds Key Tank for Tata Steel’s £1.25bn Port Talbot EAF
Newport-based Braithwaite Engineers is manufacturing a critical 200-cubic-metre emergency water tank for Tata Steel UK’s £1.25bn transformation at Port Talbot. The project highlights the vital role of local supply chains in the future of UK steelmaking.
Italian engineering firm PERT, responsible for delivering the new Electric Arc Furnace’s water systems, selected Braithwaite Engineers as its preferred supplier. This decision underscores the integration of international expertise with established Welsh manufacturing capabilities.
The massive tank will be positioned atop a 50-metre tower, serving a vital function in the facility’s safety infrastructure. It ensures the continuous flow of cooling water to the furnace should an interruption occur in the main water supply.
Braithwaite Engineers brings over 120 years of experience to the project, specialising in hot-pressed galvanised steel panel tanks for global customers. The company’s portfolio includes a 15,000-cubic-metre tank in the Himalayas, which is celebrating 80 years in service.
Ian Hoppy, Managing Director of Braithwaite Engineers, highlighted the long-standing partnership with the steel giant. “We’ve been supplying Tata Steel, to my knowledge, for over 50 years,” he stated, reflecting decades of collaborative work.
Production and galvanising of the tank components are taking place locally in Newport before delivery to Port Talbot for final assembly. The steel used in the manufacturing process is supplied directly through Tata Steel’s own operations.
Ian Terry, Mechanical Engineer at Tata Steel UK, emphasised the company’s commitment to involving local businesses in the transformation. “From the outset of our transformation at Port Talbot, we’ve been committed to involving local businesses wherever possible and ensuring that this major investment delivers opportunities for the wider Welsh economy.”
Terry praised the specific expertise available in the region, noting the significance of local involvement. “Braithwaite Engineers is a great example of the expertise we have here in South Wales.” It’s fantastic to see a local manufacturer playing such an important role in delivering the infrastructure for our new Electric Arc Furnace.
He further noted the broader economic impact of such initiatives on the industry. “Projects like this demonstrate how our transformation is not only shaping the future of steelmaking in the UK, but also supporting the businesses and supply chains that are so important to our industry.”
The emergency water tank forms part of a wider water infrastructure programme delivered by PERT, with equipment expected to be among the first major components installed. This collaboration demonstrates how Welsh businesses are contributing to Tata Steel UK’s transition towards lower-CO₂ steelmaking.
