Redcar Coke Ovens By Products (RCOBP) Phase 2

Project Overview 

MGL Demolition was a key contractor in decontaminating and demolishing the former Redcar Coke Ovens By-Products (RCOBP) Plant. This complex and challenging demolition project supported the redevelopment of the former Redcar Steelworks site, Teesworks, the UK’s largest industrial zone. 

Challenges 

The RCOBP Plant contained many toxic, flammable, and pyrophoric materials throughout the site. Several years earlier, it had been shut down but not decommissioned, and it was in poor condition with limited records of remaining materials. MGL Demolition’s team developed various techniques to safely decontaminate, demolish, and clear the site for redevelopment. By dividing the site into six zones based on risk profiles, additional sampling and analysis was conducted to determine the best decontamination and demolition methods. 

Safety, Sustainability and Social Value  

The company used dry recovery, steaming, chemical treatment, foam blanketing, and conventional and explosive demolition to safely remove the contaminants and demolish the structures, a testament to its adaptability and problem-solving skills. These techniques minimised the quantities of hazardous wastes and facilitated the safe and efficient recovery of all metals for recycling.  

Prioritising local employment, MGL Demolition supported the skills academy and contributed additional personnel resources to ensure local people were well-equipped to take advantage of the new job opportunities created by the project. This was a key factor as the client progressed in the regeneration and redevelopment of the site. 

Summary 

This project has been one of Teesside’s most complex and challenging demolition projects. Over 25,000 operative hours were safely undertaken with no major incidents.