Metals recycler and BMRA member John Lawrie Group has put material from the North Sea to good use by supplying 15 miles of pipes for the construction of the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC). 

Designed to handle the extreme elements of the North Sea, the decommissioned tubulars are ideal candidates for an alternative use and highlights the recycling and reuse potential that the oil and gas sector has for offshore materials nearing the end of its first life.  John Lawrie Group has a dedicated decommissioning division and its processing site for reuse and recycling is based in Montrose. 

Ray Grant of John Lawrie Group said: “The £333 million venue (AECC) is taking shape at Bucksburn and shows the potential for reusing material. We supplied 15 miles of steel tubulars to physically support the new AECC. That’s enough tubulars to go from here (Aberdeen) to Stonehaven from end-to-end, so it’s a nice big project.”

In 2017 John Lawrie Group won the VIBES Circular Economy Award, in recognition for demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and reducing environmental impacts. VIBES are the Scottish Environment Business Awards. In addition, it is one of 11 British businesses shortlisted in the process category at the 2018 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE).