BASF Plant decomimissioning underway on Teeside.

The UK arm of international chemical giant BASF has begun the decommissioning of plant at the Seal Sands site in Teesside, Middlesbrough following its decision to cease these operations in May 2007.

BASF plc has appointed specialist engineering consultants and construction design management (CDM) co-ordinators RVA Group, to oversee and project manage the decommissioning and dismantling of its 128,000 tonne Adiponitrile (ADN) production facility and its high pressure gasification plant.

Work being carried out during the six month project comprises the complete removal of all hazardous material, demolition, dismantling and site clearance of the gasification plant and ADN plant, together with the removal of other facilities including utilities equipment, pipebridges, cables and process plant structures dating – in many instances – back to the 1970’s.

The Middlesbrough site was acquired by INEOS Nitriles – one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of Acrylonitrile – in August 2008, but BASF plc retained ownership of these production facilities, which had ceased production earlier that year.

BASF plc project manager Ken Norrie, who saw both the gasification and ADN plants being built, said: “This is our largest demolition assignment to date on the Seal Sands site. We were therefore looking for a company with proven excellence in environmental health and safety, to project manage this demanding job.

“RVA exhibited impressive knowledge and experience and were able to fully manage the difficult contractor selection process, which led to the appointment of Cheshire-based J Bryan Victoria Ltd.
“Work began on site in January and I have to say both companies are doing an excellent job.”
Richard Vann, managing director of RVA Group said: “This is a complex and potentially hazardous undertaking with a tight schedule that demands strong and continual communication between our own team, J Bryan Victoria, BASF and INEOS. It’s the kind of work we thrive on and one which has built us a reputation for excellence throughout the industry.”

A time-lapse video of a high reach excavator has topped the YouTube Machinery chart

I really should learn to keep my big mouth shut. No sooner do I promise never again to show a time-lapse video of a demolition project than along comes a video that has shot to the tops of the YouTube machinery video charts.

Miller International provide a sneak preview of the future of quick coupler technology

Later this month, within digging distance of the new Wenbley Stadium arch, Miller International will unveil its latest generation of quick couplers. As the anti-semi-automatic debacle continues, the timing for the launch could not be better. And judging by the video here, the product looks the part too.

More information will follow just as soon as we have it.

Exclusive video from NFDC AGM featuring an update on the EDA.

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, newly-elected NFDC 2nd vice president William Sinclair provided members with an update on developments within the European Demolition Association. At the same time, D&Ri editor Lindsay Gale officially launched the new Demolition Awards to a UK audience.

The following video captures the key highlights from these two presentations.

Bridge implosions set to operatic music makes for stunning video.

Word reached us recently that C&D Consultancy’s John Woodward had been employed as a script consultant on a theatrical production in which the lead character is a demolition expert. At the time, we all thought this was something of a first in the demolition/culture mix.

However, we have just stumbled across this video that sets a series of impressive Virginia bridge implosions to operatic music. Enjoy:

D&Ri, the world’s most widely read demolition magazine, has featured www.demolition-jobs.co.uk

Click here for details.

UK rental company moves LEGO pharaoh.

This isn’t demolition-related but, knowing the industry’s love of equipment and its use in delicate operations, we simply couldn’t resist sharing this with you:

Click here to see a 4 metre, 200,000 piece LEGO Pharaoh being moved.

Neath-based Cuddy Group has been named Demolition Contractor of the Year.

The annual event has become a major milestone in the construction calendar, with the aim of highlighting the critical role of specialist contractors in the industry. Joint managing director John Cuddy, who accepted the award on the night said: “Having been a finalist 6 times in the past, we are delighted to have finally won this esteemed award, which reinforces, and gives credibility to, the claims that we are proud to boast. Since our inception in 1983, we have worked hard to build a solid reputation for professionalism that treads beyond the traditional realms of the demolition industry. Especially in the current climate, clients need to invest their trust in a hard-working, dependable and technically capable company, and this award is welcome recognition of our ability to fulfil these requirements and expectations – all whilst ensuring a continuous investment in health and safety, staff development and sustainability.

“Whilst we are obviously incredibly proud of this achievement, our skills actually span much wider than just demolition. We now want to work hard to ensure that our other areas of specialism – including decommissioning, land remediation, civil engineering and asbestos removal – achieve the same level of recognition as our demolition division.”

The project that helped Cuddy to win the coveted award was the much anticipated and high profile demolition of Mansfield Brewery last year, in which the 12-man team combined traditional dismantling techniques and the controlled use of explosives to clear the site. Councillor Kate Allsop said at the time: “Cuddy did a truly excellent job and ensured a safe, professional and organised approach throughout. That’s what I expected from them, but they went over and above my expectations.”