Pontypool-based Flamgard Calidair (www.flamgard.co.uk), which is currently working on a confinement project at Chernobyl, has been nominated for a UK Export Excellence Award.

The company has been short-listed in the category Best Use of UK Export Finance by The Manufacturer and Global Trade Review. These awards recognise the ‘cream of UK exporters across a range of sectors and geographical regions’.

Steve Edwards, Flamgard Calidair’s managing director, said: “Our nomination is in direct response to our work on the complex New Safe Confinement project at Chernobyl.

“This consists of a huge domed structure, erected away from the hazardous site and then wheeled into place over the top of the old reactor and associated buildings to reduce harmful emissions from the area and provide a safer and more controlled environment for decommissioning works.”

Flamgard supplied high-integrity dampers to the site and went through a fairly lengthy process to ensure that it was able to work internationally with consortium client Novarka.

To fulfil the contract, Flamgard required additional finance to issue an advance payment bond, which it was able to secure through Lloyds Banking Group, while a guarantee from UK Export Finance meant that there was no requirement for a deposit.