Orbital lands seven-figure contract for process gas handling at new semicon plant
Orbital has secured a multi-million-pound contract for the manufacture and installation of equipment at a new, flagship semiconductor manufacturing plant in Newport, South Wales.
The contract is the second related to this plant, and was awarded by Cardiff-based CMB Engineering, which is the lead contractor for mechanical, electrical and process systems fitout of research & development and manufacturing cleanrooms. The new innovation centre will provide over 25,000 square feet of R&D cleanrooms and more than 35,000 square feet of bespoke manufacturing assembly halls.
Engineers from Orbital have been on site in Newport since late 2023, integrating process gas works as part of the wider fitout works. Some 14-plus kilometres of stainless steel pipework, along with 1500 valves, 44 Valve Manifold Boxes (VMBs) and 107 Valve Manifold Panels (VMPs) have been installed, with process gases including argon, nitrogen and oxygen to be fed to manufacturing areas from an external, blast-reinforced gas bunker. The first phase of the project was handed over to the customer following connection of bulk gas services in early summer.
The second phase of the contract now underway includes a further 16 kilometres of stainless steel pipework, 1350-plus valves, 62 VMBs and 59 VMPs, all anticipated to be fully operational by June 2026.
Rob Borley, Project Director at CMB Engineering, comments, “This is a complex project and the fact that CMB was able to deliver to the client on time and to the highest standards of delivery speaks volumes about our supply chain. Orbital’s team, backed by the quality of its equipment, installations and project support, has been instrumental in delivering a top-tier installation, of which we can all be proud.”
James Bridges, CEO of Orbital Fabrications, says,“It is a real privilege to work on this project. The UK’s semiconductor industry is a cornerstone of the tech economy and is projected to grow up to £17 billion by 2030. This new plant will contribute significantly to that growth. We have worked with CMB on a number of projects over the years and the positive nature of the collaboration always delivers outstanding results. We look forward to bringing this project to a successful conclusion, and to working together on new opportunities in the future.”
