Welsh firm to protect Chernobyl

Pontypool-based manufacturer Flamgard Calidair will provide fire and shut off dampers to the Chernobyl site, the world’s largest movable structure designed to facilitate monitoring and demolition of the previous containment building following the 1986 disaster, while securing remaining radioactive material. The €1.5bn multinational engineering project, managed by international contractor Novarka, will be installed in late 2017.

Welsh Government has provided ongoing innovation support to Flamgard over a number of years, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund, to support the research and development of technically advanced products and for equipment to enable the business to meet the growing global demand for its products.

The move comes as the UK Government looks to promote trade abroad through the Exporting is GREAT campaign, which aims to inspire and encourage more businesses to export.

Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade, welcomed the announcement, saying: “This success demonstrates that there is a world of opportunity out there for innovative, outward-looking companies like Flamgard. But when the world needs your expertise, you may find you need additional support, and I am delighted that the UK Government, through UK Export Finance (UKEF), was able to help ensure this very special export happened.

Steve Edwards, Managing Director, Flamgard, said: “This is a major international contract for Flamgard, which we were able to undertake with the support of UKEF, the Welsh Government and Lloyds Banking Group. The support we received from government and the private sector has helped us to win big in a global marketplace.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates said: “Flamgard is a highly innovative company with a global reputation for excellence. It is a world leader in the supply of safety critical devices and a great example of the expertise we have within the advanced materials and manufacturing sector in Wales”