​Vulcan Launches R&D Testing & Training Facility

August 7, 2025

Vulcan Asphalt Group is proud to announce the launch of the Vulcan R&D testing & training facility, designed to support global partnerships, training programmes and research initiatives in advancing asphalt production technologies and performance.

Located at Glenshane Quarry in Northern Ireland, the facility benefits from excellent access to airports and major transport links, making it an ideal hub for collaborative innovation & training programmes. The facility is equipped with a fully operational live burner and integrated control system, designed to provide a controlled and consistent operating environment ideal for operator training and performance improvement.

The facility has achieved a UK-first by hosting large-scale hydrogen pilot tests in collaboration with the Bay Hydrogen Hub consortium. The Bay Hydrogen Hub is part of the Department’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio which provides funding for low-carbon technologies and systems and aims to decrease the costs of decarbonisation helping enable the UK to end its contribution to climate change.

Conducted over a two-year period, the testing demonstrated Vulcan’s ability to utilise hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source in an asphalt burner system suitable for asphalt production. This was successfully achieved at high Megawatt output levels, paving the way for upcoming live plant trials at Criggion Quarry owned by Heidelberg Materials. The facility has also supported numerous pioneering initiatives, including emissions testing, fuel monitoring, and trials of alternative fuel solutions.

“The centre provides an ideal environment for our partners and customers to evaluate emerging technologies and concepts at the feasibility stage—without the inherent risks of live plant testing,” said Matt Wardle, Sales Director at Vulcan Asphalt Group. “By enabling risk analysis and mitigation in a controlled setting, we’ve seen significant success across multiple collaborative projects. We also recognise the critical importance of offering a facility that keeps operators up to date with evolving technologies, system performance, and—most importantly—safety protocols.

The Vulcan R&D Testing and Training Facility is now open for new research collaborations, pilot-scale projects, and operator training programmes. 

For more information, please contact our team at:

📧enquires@vulcanasphaltgroup.com