Welsh firm plays part in Chernobyl’s revival
24 Oct 2017
Pontypool company Flamgard Calidair is making a key contribution to the demolition of the radioactive remains of the former Soviet nuclear site at Chernobyl.
The firm has designed the fire and shut off dampers for the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement (CNSC) that is scheduled to enclose the ruins of the plant by next month.
Built at a cost of £1.35 billion, the half cylinder construction will be the world’s largest moving structure and enable the monitoring and demolition of the ill-fated nuclear site.
Flamgard’s managing director, Steve Edwards, said: “The story of Chernobyl is one of history’s most tragic. But while the neighbouring town of Pripyat is still an unoccupied ghost town exclusion zone, there is some hope for the future of the Chernobyl site with this project.
“This was a major international contract for Flamgard and we’ve been exceptionally proud to play our part in it. We are proud to be a Welsh business working on an international level and we continue to reap the benefits of substantial investment into research and development and recognition on a global scale.“
Chernobyl, which lies close to the town of Pripyat in the Ukraine, was the scene of a catastrophic accident that occurred at its Number 4 light water graphite moderated reactor on 26 April 1986. The initial explosion cost two lives but many more died in the aftermath.
