Llanwern Steel Works

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Built for Richard Thomas & Baldwins Ltd, the works was originally referred to locally as "The RTB", before being called Spencer Works and later Llanwern under British Steel. The steelworks is situated alongside the South Wales Main Line east of Newport, offering excellent rail transport for the works.

It was the first oxygen-blown integrated steelworks in Britain when it opened in 1962.[1] The hot strip mill pioneered the first successful use of a computer for complete mill control.[2] [3]

Steel making at the site ceased in 2001 with the loss of 1300 jobs, and the 'heavy end' of the works was demolished in 2004.[4] In January 2009, Corus announced that it was mothballing the hot strip mill, with the loss of over 500 jobs.[5] In August 2009 Corus announced that the hot strip mill would resume operations.[6] Subsequent problems caused by the eurozone crisis forced the company to once again mothball the Hot Strip Mill commencing 24 November 2011 with plans to re-open during late 2012. This stance was released to the press on December 2, 2011.[7]

While the site no longer manufactures steel, Tata's remaining operations at Llanwern include a hot strip mill, two pickle lines, a cold strip mill and a hot dip galvanising line. The works rolls 1.5 million tonnes of steel coil per annum for automotive, construction and general engineering applications. [8]

Wales: Cultural Ecology Map 2
updated 08/2014 by Resilience Wales