Rehau has officially opened the first UK facility to produce pre-insulated pipework for the district heating and biomass sectors at its factory in Blaenau, North Wales.
Local MP Elfyn Llwyd and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM were joined by representatives from DECC as the new facility was showcased to key customers.

Until now, the UK market has relied exclusively on imports of this type of pipework. By investing in UK production, Rehau says it is significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the Rauvitherm pipe it supplies. The company is also promising a more flexible and responsive customer service.

The Rauvitherm pipe produced at Blaenau will be exactly the same specification and quality as the pipework which Rehau has been importing from its facility in Germany since 2010.

Sales of Rauvitherm have more than doubled over the past year, driven by the booming UK biomass and district heating markets and, more recently, by the impact of the Renewable Heat Incentive. Rehau's decision to invest in the new manufacturing technology at its largest UK factory and in specialist training of its production staff comes in response to this.

Martin Hitchin, Rehau's Chief Executive, said at the official opening: 'Despite the fact that it is a global group, Rehau has long had a policy of producing locally wherever possible and this investment is very much in line with that.'